JANUARY 31, 2026 — The South Dakota Commission has introduced a ceremonial flag designed to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, says the Argus Leader.
Unveiled on January 20 at a banking institution in Lennox, the banner is intended to serve as a visual centrepiece for the state’s participation in the 2026 national “America 250” celebrations.
The flag’s design features a bison positioned to face the right, which officials state is intended to represent a focus on the future. This central figure is set against a background depicting the Badlands, a move by designers to incorporate recognizable regional geography into the commemorative iconography.
State historian and commission director Ben Jones noted that while the national Semiquincentennial is being marked by an official federal pennant, the commission felt a localized design was necessary to “educate, engage and unite all South Dakotans” during the anniversary year.
The primary ceremonial version of the flag is scheduled to be displayed at various promotional venues throughout the year.
The unveiling is part of a broader schedule of events organized by the commission to observe the quarter-millennium milestone.
Image: Argus Leader
