Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed legislation on May 8, 2003, establishing a new official flag for the state of Georgia. It took effect immediately, giving Georgia its third state flag in under twenty-seven months, setting a national record for the fastest time between state flag changes.
What’s the history of the Georgia State Flag?
It was the third state flag to fly over the state house since 2001, when the Georgia flag with the Confederate battle emblem was replaced, sparking a political uproar and a stalemate in the legislature. — Photograph by Mandi Albright for the AJC
What happened to the Georgia state flag in 1994?
During the 1990s, there was a lawsuit and protests against the state flag. In 1994, James Coleman of Atlanta filed a lawsuit against then-Gov. Zell Miller and the state of Georgia, claiming that the state flag was offensive. According to Miller, the Confederate insignia should be removed, but politicians refused to adopt such legislation and the subject was dismissed.
Why did Georgia the country change its flag?
Georgia was the host country from 1991 to 2004. The color wine-red signifies both the good days of the past as well as the good times of the future, while the color black denotes Russian domination and the color white represents the hope for world peace. Following the bloodless Rose Revolution, this banner was subsequently replaced by the present Georgian flag.
Why did Georgia change its state flag in 2001?
Because of the state’s opposition to integration, the state of Georgia modified its flag in 1956 to include a prominent representation of the Confederate battle flag. The Georgia General Assembly decided in 2001 to modify the state flag, relegating the Confederate battle flag to a much smaller position on the state flag and removing it entirely from the state seal.
When did Georgia change the flag to incorporate the Confederate flag?
The measure was signed into law on February 13, 1956, and it became effective on July 1, 1956, the following year. However, before proceeding with a more in-depth assessment of the Confederate battle flag, it is important to emphasize that the design of the Confederate battle flag itself is not inherently problematic or racist.
Why did Georgia change its flag in 1956?
It was at this period when the Georgia General Assembly was ‘totally focused to drafting laws that would sustain segregation and white supremacy,’ as stated in a study report by the Georgia Senate in 2000, that the state’s 1956 state flag was approved.
Why do England and Georgia have the same flag?
The St. George’s flag, consisting of a red cross on a white field, was chosen by England and the City of London in 1190 to be flown by ships entering the Mediterranean to take advantage of the protection provided by the Genoese fleet. Because of this privilege, the English Monarch paid a yearly payment to the Doge of Genoa, who was also known as the Duke of Genoa.
What is the old state flag of Georgia?
The first official state flag was raised on October 17, 1879, marking the establishment of the state. A vertical blue stripe ran along the hoist of the flag, which resembled the Confederate Stars and Bars flag in that it had three equal red-white-red stripes instead of a canton like the Confederate Stars and Bars.