Ohio. The 17th state is quite special. For Ohio as a character, he's known to both loathe and love himself, often confusing his fellow states. One reason he loathes himself is his stereotype mainly being known for cornfields, politics, and the one boring state to be avoided.

On the other hand, he'll brag how he's home to many achievements such as being the birthplace of aviation (to North Carolina's denial), winning the Toledo Strip (to Michigan's fury), and being the birthplace to influential figures such as Neil Armstrong, Steven Spielberg, and seven of the nation's presidents (often arguing with Virginia over the title, "Mother of Presidents").

Even with his achievements, he still claims how "bland" he is. Which is why at the beginning of the twentieth century he decided to be a part of the trend of adopting his own state flag. The flag he created continues to be flown in present times, seen as one of the most unique flag designs in the United States.

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"That's the flag you chose?" New York held his hand over his mouth, unsure on whether to laugh or cry to what he saw. 

"It's...unique to say the least..." New Jersey awkwardly chuckled, unable to find anything positive or negative to say at first.

"I think it looks great!" Ohio huffed his chest. "What do you think, Michigan?" Ohio turnd to his rival who came for the sole purpose of shitting on Ohio's flag.

The brunette with grayish purple eyes glared up the top of the flag pole with a disapproving frown, shaking her head in disbelief. "That is not a flag. That is the decapitated head of a satanic bird. It's absolutely hideous." 

The three alongside Ohio were staring at Ohio's state flag that flew in the vernal breeze underneath the American flag. A swallowtail design. Patriotic colors displayed in an unusual way. Not to mention a large, red spot surrounded by white five-pointed stars in a blue triangle in an odd pattern. Boy, where to start?

"Dude, what were you drugs you took to create this flag?" Jersey questioned.

"Yeah. I get you want to be unique and all, but this is unusual for a flag. Like, what's with the shape?" York followed suit with his own criticism.

"If a rectangle were being fucked by a triangle, this is the monstrosity of a child they created," Michigan sneered, earning a few giggles from York and Jersey.

Ohio crossed his arms, trying not to get too upset and blow a tantrum in public. "Ha ha, very funny. You're just jealous of my flag being the best designed among everyone else's flags. Admit it. It's awesome." He smirked.

"Jealous? Awesome?" Michigan scoffed, "That flag is a crime against America. That flag will peck your face whenever you look into its one soulless eye."

"That is not an eye! That is an 'O'," he corrected.

"An 'O'?" the three repeated, astonished by this revelation.

Ohio confidently nodded. "That 'O' represents me!" he said proudly.

"Oh, really?" Michigan quirked an eyebrow. "I thought it was a zero representing the score you got on your flag design."

York and Jersey laughed while Ohio frowned on her rude comment.

"Fuck off! I worked really hard on this flag! It was either this or a state seal over a blank sheet. I think this flag is cool, and you have no right to judge when you don't have a flag yourself."

Michigan huffed. "Please! The American flag is all we need," she pointed toward the American flag that waved proudly above Ohio's flag. "I don't see the point in making our own flags. I mean, we're only states of a country, so a state flag isn't necessary."

"Yeah, but it's fun to get our own flag," Jersey concurred. "It's not like it's going to do any harm. Besides, you should try to get one. Everyone else is thinking about getting one," he suggested.

Michigan thought on his suggestion with consideration. "Even if you say that, I doubt I make a flag as atrocious as Ohio's."

"It's not that bad!"

"What's with those random stars then? Like, did you have a stroke when you printed them?"

"Of course not! I placed them like that on purpose. Also, they have meaning! If you had a brain, there are seventeen stars on that flag. Thirteen around the circle represent the Original Thirteen and the four in the shape of a diamond represent my statehood as the 17th state. Obviously you wouldn't understand considering that big forehead of yours is only good for butting heads than basic counting."

York and Jersey gasped before letting out another laugh, this time aimed at Michigan who fumed like a boiling pot at his insult. "Shut it you two! Meanings don't mean anything with a flag this atrociously designed."

"To be fair, it's at least better than Jersey's flag," said York in Ohio's defence.

"Hey! Mine is fairly average!" Jersey defended his flag which is like most American state flags: a state seal over a simple backdrop.

York rolled his eyes. "That beige background looks awful. I'm glad the background of my flag changed to blue because otherwise I would've burned it."

"Either way, it's obvious Ohio's flag is the biggest offense among all flags, even those that haven't been created yet," said Michigan without batting an eye.

"Give me some credit of originality here!" Ohio yelled, having enough of Michigan's negative comments. "At least it's not offensive like Mississippi's flag! Nor is it boring as a plain state seal on a basic background!" Ohio eyed York and Jersey who couldn't find a good comeback to his point.

"At least they're basic," Michigan rebutted, "Yours looks like some five year old sabotaged the American flag!"

"Seriously! You just hate it because it's my flag! How would you feel if I shit on your flag?"

"I don't need a flag," Michigan puffed up her flat chest. "If I do make my own flag, it will be in a whole league of its own."

"A whole league below mine," Ohio muttered under his breath.

"What was that? I dare you to say that again." Michigan got in his face.

"Are you deaf? You had to be if you're getting this close to hear my insults!"

"Whatever, Butteye! You're lucky I left my wrenches at home because otherwise I would've broke your scrawny neck a long time ago!"

"Always bitching and moaning with you! I'm surprised they haven't changed your name to Bitchigan yet!"

More insults followed as York and Jersey awkwardly watch this Midwestern rivalry unravel in public.

"I'm glad we're not like them," Jersey turned to York with a relieved smile.

"I'm going home." York left without giving his rival any attention.

And so in the year 1902, the Ohio Burgee became the official state flag of Ohio. Although unique and oddly-patterned, it wouldn't be until 1904 when Maryland's flag became the subject of the ugliest flag conversation. Even if not the most well-known state, the flag of Ohio still stands splendidly in the wind, proof of Ohio's existence to be one out of many weird states in America.

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+ The Ohio Burgee is the only U.S. state flag that's non-rectangular in shape. It was first designed in 1901 by John Eisenmann for the Pan-American Exposition and later adopted in 1902. Fun fact: the flag is officially folded in 17 steps, and apparently it's quite a hassle due to the flag's irregular shape.

- Some people tend to judge state flags as being lamer than the flags of countries. In some ways, they have a point. I mean, half of the 50 states flags are state emblems on a color background. Even if there are state flags that don't follow the basic outline, not all of them are necessarily good design-wise. Without a doubt, Ohio's flag is certainly unique. Thank goodness it didn't adopt a forgettable flag with a state emblem

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