The flag of Alaska was designed in 1927 by Bennie Benson, a 13-year-old Native American schoolboy who won a competition out of 142 entries. Benson's design was officially adopted in 1959. The blue field is for the sky and the forget-me-not, the state flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, the most northerly of the Union. The dipper is for the Great Bear constellation, symbolizing strength. The state song Alaska's Flag describes the symbolism of the flag.