Maryland has something to wave about — and it’s been waving it all along.
In a viral bracket-style poll on the popular Reddit community r/RemoveOneThingEachDay, Maryland’s state flag was voted the best flag in the entire country, besting all 49 other states to claim the top spot. The contest — which drew hundreds of votes and significant national engagement — worked by eliminating one state flag per round until only one remained standing. The final results were posted on April 16, 2026.
The Final Showdown: Maryland vs. Arizona
The final matchup came down to Maryland versus Arizona, with Arizona — widely considered a perennial contender in flag rankings — ultimately falling in the championship round. Arizona’s copper star and sunburst design is routinely ranked among the nation’s best, and the Reddit thread noted it had regularly placed in the top five of similar polls. But it wasn’t enough. “The most Arizona thing to lose in the final round,” one Reddit commenter quipped, referencing the state’s well-documented history of sports heartbreak. Another Maryland fan was generous in victory: “You guys are 100% #2.”
A Flag Like No Other
Maryland’s distinctive banner is hard to miss. Its bold black-and-gold Calvert family cross botonée and red-and-white Crossland banner quadrants make it one of the most visually complex and heraldically authentic state flags in the nation — a design rooted in the coat of arms of the founding Calvert family dating back to the 17th century. Unlike the dozens of state flags that feature a simple government seal on a blue background, Maryland’s flag stands alone in its medieval European heraldic style, which vexillology experts and flag enthusiasts have long praised.
Reddit users from across the country echoed this sentiment. “Maryland almost always wins,” one commenter noted, pointing to the state’s loyal fan base — who affectionately call themselves the “crab people” in a nod to Maryland’s beloved blue crab culture — for rallying votes round after round. “Maryland crab people unite!” read one rallying cry during the Day 49 semifinal.
A DMV Win Worth Celebrating
For residents of the DMV region, the result is a rare, uncomplicated point of local pride. In an era when Maryland frequently makes national headlines for more divisive reasons — budget disputes, federal job cuts, and commuter headaches — this one is pure celebration. The flag’s win cuts across politics and demographics: it’s the rare thing that unites Marylanders from Baltimore to the D.C. suburbs, from the Eastern Shore to Western Maryland.
One Baltimore-area commenter summed it up simply: “As a Baltimorean, I approve. Thank you for validating.” The flag was officially adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 1904 and is based on the 17th-century heraldic banner of Cecil Calvert, the 2nd Baron Baltimore — making it not just the most visually striking state flag, but arguably the most historically grounded one in the entire country.
The bottom line: Maryland’s flag didn’t just win a Reddit poll — it won a contest the state’s vexillophiles have been quietly confident about for years. The Old Line State’s banner has reigned supreme, and for once, the internet agreed unanimously. Wave it proudly, Maryland.