When Juan Ponce de León landed on Florida's shores in 1513, Spain did not have an official national flag, so  Spain's Castle and Lion Flag of the King was used as the  flag of the country and is considered Florida's first flag.

In 1564, the French established a settlement near Jacksonville at the mouth of the St. Johns River.  The French also occupied Pensacola from 1719 to 1722 during the War of the Quadruple Alliance.

The Burgundian Saltire represented the first Spanish period of occupation from 1565 to 1763.  Spain defeated the French for control.

Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 in exchange for Havana, Cuba.  Florida was then split into two parts:  East Florida, with its capital in St. Augustine, and West Florida, with its seat in Pensacola.

Spain captured Pensacola from the British in 1781 and in 1784 regained control of the rest of Florida as part of the peace treaty that ended the American Revolution.  According to terms of the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain formally ceded Florida to the United States in 1821.

Andrew Jackson returned to Florida in 1821 to establish a new territorial government on behalf of the United States.  The first flag of the United States to fly over Florida had 23 stars.

On July 4, 1845, the year Florida became a state, Florida became the 27th star and was added to the United States Flag.

At the inauguration of Florida's first governor, William D. Moseley was presented with a flag.  Because of a controversy concerning its motto "LET US ALONE", it never became an official state flag.

In 1861, a law was enacted authorizing and directing the governor to adopt an appropriate device for a State flag. On September 13, 1861, Governor Perry reported that the Flag had been deposited in the Executive Chamber.  No further references have been found of the use of this flag.

Battle Flags of Florida

Before the outbreak of the Civil War, state forces took control of the federal forts and navy yard at Pensacola.  Colonel William H. Chase, commander of the Florida troops, raised the lone star flag.

During the Civil War, Floridians fought under several Confederate flags.  In 1861, the confederate government selected the "Stars and Bars" flag now called the first national pattern.

The Cross of St. Andrews flag, commonly regarded today as the Confederate Battle Flag, was used by southern military units serving in parts of Florida.

The official flag of the Confederate States of America used the design of the battle flag as a major feature and is referred to as the second national pattern.  This flag was nicknamed the "Stainless Banner" because of its large white field.

A red bar was added to the edge of the second national flag because its white field could be mistaken for a flag of truce or surrender. This flag is referred to as the third national pattern.

Secession Flag of Florida

During the 1860s, several unofficial flags flew over Florida.  "The Ladies of Broward's Neck" presented this flag to Governor Madison Starke Perry.  This flag was on display when the Ordinance of Secession was signed on January 11, 1861.

Tribal Flags of Florida

The Miccosukee Tribe adopted this flag in 1962.  The colors of the flag represent the four points of the compass.  East is represented by yellow, north by red, west by black, and south by white.  It is a Miccosukee belief that life spins in a circle starting in the east and moving to the north, west, and south.

The Seminole Tribe uses this flag that represents the colors of the Seminole and Miccosukee people.  The seal represents the tribal council using the chickee.

Other Flags of Florida

William Augustus Bowles designed this flag after a congress of Creeks and Seminoles elected him director general of the State of Muskogee in 1799.

This flag flew over the Free and Independent State of West Florida from September 23 to December 6, 1810. The flag became the unofficial ensign of the South and inspired Harry McCarthy to compose the well-known song, "The Bonnie Blue Flag."

A group crossed the St. Mary's River to Amelia Island on March 13, 1812, to establish the "Territory of East Florida."  President James Madison refused to acknowledge their claim and the movement failed.

A group desiring the independence of Florida occupied Amelia Island in June of 1817.  After four months they were forced to leave.