July 9, 2023 is the 96th anniversary of Alaska Flag Day, established by the Alaska State Legislature to honor Benny Benson, the 7th grade student who designed this important state symbol. The anniversary of the hoisting of Benny’s handsome flag is a golden opportunity to spotlight mysteries surrounding his young life. Several mysteries were answered in 2022 by a court order and a family tree report, but eight mysteries remain that might be solved by 7th through 12th grade students in Alaska, and a total of $2,000 in prizes is being offered by MOTA.

Mystery #1: In which Chignik Village was Benny born? There are three Chigniks: Chignik Bay, Chignik Lagoon, and Chignik Lake.

Mystery #2. Who was Benny’s father? His name was John Ben Benson, Sr. Some records say he was from Sweden; others say he was from Norway. Little is known about him such as where he was born, his real name (John Ben Benson is not Swedish and not Norwegian), his date of birth, or his parents’ names.

Mystery #3. Who was Benny’s paternal grandfather, and did he live in Alaska as some reports say?

Mystery #4. In the preliminary Alaska town portion of the contest, before winners were sent to the final contest in Juneau, there was a second-place winner who scored higher than Benny who only won third prize in Seward. Where are photographs of her?

Mystery #5. For the second-place winner in mystery #4, where is her flag entry drawing?

Mystery #6. Did Benny really design the flag in Unalaska as some said?

Mystery #7. How tall was Benny Benson when he won the flag contest in 1927? Credit will be given for accuracy and to those who create Benny in an animated 3D program such as Blender 3.5 (any version).

Mystery #8. Where are books (children or adults) that portrayed Benny as having blond hair and blue eyes?

Clues may be found in a paper published on this page, in libraries, museums, archives, family records, or in oral interviews. MOTA was chosen as a sponsor because Benny’s mother Tatiana was born in Unalaska.

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