The Georgia Flag Controversy

So, what’s the story about the Georgia flag? Those who live in Georgia or South Carolina are well aware of the controversy surrounding both state flags. The state of Georgia adopted its first state flag in 1799. However, it is the current version of the flag that is now the center of attention.

Although there are some who disagree, it is readily accepted that the current Georgia flag was adopted in response to the Brown v. Board of Education decision. In 1956, Georgia legislators, who did not want to desegregate the school system, voted 179 to 1 to incorporate the confederate battle flag as a part of the state flag. Some have argued that the confederate emblem was added not as a means to taunt, but as a way to honor confederate soldiers.

However, in 1992, former Governor Zell Miller indicated that he would make changing the Georgia flag one of his top priorities. Although there was much heated debate, Miller was not able to get the flag changed during his administration. Some consider Georgia different from South Carolina, in that Georgia does not fly the confederate flag. Others, however, consider that distinction minute.

In January 2001, in what is considered by many to be a daring legislative move, Governor Roy Barnes supported new legislation which called for the redesign of the state flag. The new flag represents the several flags which have flown over Georgia -- the flag of England, early American flags, the flag of the Confederate States of America, the flag of the United States of America, and the old Georgia State flag. Although hotly debated, within a few short weeks, the new flag bill passed both houses of the Georgia legislature and was signed into law by Governor Barnes. The new flag is the seventh state flag for Georgia.