History of the Confederate Flag

History of the Confederate Flag

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the First National Flag of the Confederate States of America. Some argue the flag is a symbol of racism. Others say it's just Southern pride. We take a look at the flag's history and its influence in pop culture.

Confederate battle flag history

After flag confusion at this summertime conflict, a Confederate general demanded a different battlefield banner and got a legendary one

William Porcher Miles

Miles, a former mayor of Charleston, S.C., designed the Confederate battle flag, which was rejected as the national flag because it resembled suspenders. But this fighting force adopted the rebel banner.

Bonnie Blue Flag

The well-known Confederate battle flag wasn't the only one carried by rebel regiments during the Civil War. Another popular one, the Bonnie Blue, was first displayed in this short-lived republic.

Southern state secession

At the outbreak of the Civil War, there were 15 slave-holding states in the Union. The first national flag had seven stars, representing the original seceding states.

The Stainless Banner

The Confederacy's first national flag ended its reign in May 1863, when the secession government adopted the second national flag. The Stainless Banner covered the casket of a famous Civil War general.

Confederate flag in World War II

After the Civil War, it was illegal to fly flags and display emblems of the Confederacy, but all that changed during World War II. This vessel flew a Confederate navy ensign through combat in the South Pacific.

The Dukes of Hazzard

The Confederate battle flag became a pop culture icon once it graced this turbocharged vehicle on television's "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Flag of Georgia

During this historic social justice movement, some Southern state legislatures displayed their defiance by raising the Confederate battle flag. Georgia and South Carolina were among them.

Flag of Mississippi

When the state of Mississippi seceded from the Union in 1861, it raised this state flag. Nearly 30 years after the defeat of the Confederate States of America, Mississippi replaced its state flag with this one