flag of Georgia

The so-called Bonnie Blue Flag—a white star in the centre of a blue field—was flown in Georgia in 1861, as was a flag of white with a red star. Neither is known to have had any official standing. Georgia also used a flag featuring three pillars supporting a pediment and arch, a design element taken from the state seal, but there is no indication that the flag was used after the Civil War (1861–65). The first official state flag was established on October 17, 1879. It resembled the Stars and Bars flag of the Confederacy in having three equal red-white-red stripes, but instead of a canton there was a vertical blue stripe along the hoist. That design continued in use until 1905, when the state seal was added to the blue stripe. The state seal (and consequently the flag) of Georgia later underwent a number of variations.

On July 1, 1956, a distinctive new flag was adopted. It retained the seal and blue stripe at the hoist, but the Confederate Battle Flag was substituted for the three horizontal stripes. Opponents of the design claimed that it recalled black slavery and other racist policies and was therefore offensive, while its proponents argued that it was a symbol of Southern heritage. During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, the state flag was rarely visible, and Governor Zell Miller led an unsuccessful campaign to replace it with an entirely different design.

On January 24, 2001, however, Georgia’s House of Representatives adopted a new flag design that had been created largely behind closed doors. It incorporated the state seal—the design of which included the words constitution, wisdom, justice, and moderation—and a scroll that bore the phrase “Georgia’s History” above two historical flags of the United States and three of Georgia (including the 1956–2001 flag). Underneath the small flags was the motto “In God we trust.” The flag was legalized on January 31. However, its design was quickly criticized, as was the method by which it was chosen, and by early 2003 efforts had been initiated to replace it.

A new flag design was approved by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor on May 8, 2003, and the flag was hoisted that day. However, the legislation authorizing the flag stipulated that its official adoption was subject to a statewide referendum, which was held in March 2004 and approved it. The design of this flag is reminiscent of the Confederate Stars and Bars, with three broad red-white-red stripes and a blue canton. The state coat of arms (from the seal) and the motto “In God we trust” below it are in yellow within the canton, and these are surrounded by a circle of 13 white stars, symbolizing Georgia’s position as one of the 13 original U.S. states.