Alaska

The Story Behind the Forget-Me-Not

Before Alaska was a state, before there was even a state flag, there was a small blue flower growing across the landscape. The forget-me-not. You can find it tucked into mountain meadows, growing along trails, and blooming during Alaska’s short but beautiful summers. It’s small and delicate looking, but somehow it stands out against the huge scale of Alaska itself. And long before statehood, people already believed it represented the territory perfectly.

This short video shares how the forget-me-not became the state flower of Alaska and the surprising role it played before Alaska officially became a state.

Forget-Me-Not

Myosotis alpestris

The forget-me-not grows throughout Alaska during the short summer season, often appearing in mountain meadows and open landscapes after the snow melts.

A few things that make it special:

Native to cooler northern climates
Blooms during Alaska’s short summer
Known for its small bright blue flowers
Often found in subalpine and alpine meadows and open hillsides

Despite its small size, the forget-me-not stands out vividly against Alaska’s dramatic landscapes.

It’s a tiny flower in a very big place.

Why It Became the State Flower

The forget-me-not became Alaska’s territorial flower in 1917, decades before Alaska officially became a state.

The idea actually began with a group called the Grand Igloo — an organization made up of early pioneers who had arrived in Alaska before 1900. In 1907, they voted to adopt the forget-me-not as a symbol of the territory.

Later, in 1926, Alaska’s territorial governor George Parks traveled to Washington, DC to advocate for Alaska statehood. While there, he noticed all the state flags displayed on government buildings and realized Alaska didn’t yet have one.

The forget-me-not eventually became part of Alaska’s territorial identity, appearing on the original territorial flag and helping symbolize the region long before statehood finally arrived in 1959.

Its meaning fit Alaska well: remembrance, resilience, and beauty in a rugged landscape.

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