The flag of the State of New York is the state's coat of arms on a blue background. It depicts two supporters:

The unheraldic nature of the Hudson River landscape reveals the modern origin of the coat-of-arms. The crest is an eagle surmounting a world globe. The two ships represent inland and foreign commerce, both of which are important for the state of New York.

The motto Excelsior is a Latin word meaning “higher”, “superior”, “lordly”, and is commonly translated as “Ever Upward.”

The official blazon for the coat of arms is:

Charge. Azure, in a landscape, the sun in fess, rising in splendor or, behind a range of three mountains, the middle one the highest; in base a ship and sloop under sail, passing and about to meet on a river, bordered below by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs, all proper.

Crest. On a wreath azure and or, an American eagle proper, rising to the dexter from a two-thirds of a globe terrestrial, showing the north Atlantic ocean with outlines of its shores.

Supporters. On a quasi compartment formed by the extension of the scroll.

New York (/njuː ˈjɔrk/; locally IPA: [nɪu ˈjɔək] or [nuː ˈjɔɹk] ( listen)) is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. New York is the 27th most extensive, the 3rd most populous, and the 7th most densely populated of the 50 United States. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. The state has a maritime border with Rhode Island east of Long Island, as well as an international border with the Canadian provinces of Ontario to the west and north, and Quebec to the north. The state of New York is often referred to as New York State to distinguish it from New York City.

New York City, with a population of over 8.1 million, is the most populous city in the United States. Alone, it makes up over 40 percent of the population of New York state. It is known for its status as a center for finance and culture and for its status as the largest gateway for immigration to the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, New York City is also a destination of choice for many foreign visitors. Both the state and city were named for the 17th century Duke of York, James Stuart, future James II and VII of England and Scotland.

York (local ⁱ/ˈjɔːk/) is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence. The city offers a wealth of historic attractions, of which York Minster is the most prominent, and a variety of cultural and sporting activities.

The city was founded by the Romans in 71 AD, under the name of Eboracum. It became in turn the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, and of the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik. In the Middle Ages, York grew as a major wool trading centre and became the capital of the northern ecclesiastical province of the Church of England, a role it has retained.

In the 19th century York became a hub of the railway network and a confectionery manufacturing centre. In recent decades, the economy of York has moved from being dominated by its confectionery and railway-related industries to one that provides services. The University of York and health services have become major employers, whilst tourism has become an important element of the local economy.

Creed Carter Black (July 15, 1925 – August 16, 2011) was an American newspaper executive and publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader, where he published a series of articles on corruption in Kentucky's coal industry and the University of Kentucky's Wildcats men's basketball team. In addition, Black also worked as an executive for The Nashville Tennessean, Savannah Morning News, the now defunct Savannah Evening Press, Chicago Daily News and Philadelphia Inquirer during his career. Black served as the President of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the National Conference of Editorial Writers, the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association.

Outside of journalism, Black served as an assistant secretary of health, education and welfare for legislation during the first eighteen months of President Richard Nixon's first term in office.

Black was born on July 15, 1925, in Harlan, Kentucky. His father was struck and killed by lightning when he was five years old and he moved to Paducah with his mother. He began his career in professional journalism by working at the Paducah Sun-Democrat as a part-time journalist when he was seventeen years old. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the infantry in the European Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star during the war. Black obtained his bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and his master's degree from the University of Chicago after the war.