Iowa governor William Lloyd Harding formally accepted the flag on behalf of the state on March 19, 1918,[5] but legislative action on adoption failed in February 1919.

[6] Still, the Iowa Daughters met with legislators urging them to accept the flag again in September 1920, suggesting that past failures were caused by high expenses.

[7] Despite not being adopted, the banner was used often throughout the nation to represent Iowa, notably in Continental Hall where it was among official flags of other states, though marked as unofficial.

[7] Finally, in January 1921, Iowa legislators again deliberated on the adoption of an official banner,[8] and by mid-March of that same year, the flag was accepted as law.

"[15] It is one of nine U.S. state flags to feature an eagle, alongside those of Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.