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Present
The current design of Florida's state flag was adopted in 1900. The Constitutional Convention of 1868 directed the Legislature to adopt a state flag bearing a seal of a specific dimension and design.
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The flag was white with the state
seal in the center. During the late 1890s, Governor Francis P.
Fleming suggested that a red cross be added. In the Florida
Constitution the flag is described in these words: "The seal of
the state, in diameter one-half the hoist, shall occupy the
center of a white ground. Red bars, in width one-fifth the
hoist, shall extend from each corner toward the center, to the
outer rim of the seal."
The flags of Spain, France, Great Britain, the United States,
and the Confederate States of America have flown over Florida;
these are also known as the "Five Flags of Florida." At various
times in its history, at least 16 different flags have flown
over Florida or parts of Florida.
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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.
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Spain, 1513 |
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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.
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France, 1564-1565 |
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The Burgundian Saltire represented the first
Spanish period of occupation from 1565 to 1763. Spain
defeated the French for control.
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The Burgundian Saltire,
1565-1763 |
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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.
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Great Britain,
1763-1784 |
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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.
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Second Spanish Occupation,
1784-1821 |
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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.
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United States, 1821 |
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On July 4, 1845, the year Florida became a state, Florida became the 27th star and was added to the United States Flag.
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United States, 1845 |
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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.
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Unofficial State Flag,
1845 |
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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.
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State Flag, 1861 |
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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.
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The Lone Star Flag,
1861 |
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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.
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First National Flag, 1861 |
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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.
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Battle Flag, 1863 |
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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.
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Second National Flag, 1863-1865 |
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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. |
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Third National Flag, 1865 |
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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.
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Secession Flag, 1861 |
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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.
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Miccosukee Tribe |
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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. |
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Seminole Tribe |
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William Augustus Bowles designed this flag after a congress of Creeks and Seminoles elected him director general of the State of Muskogee in 1799. |
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State of Muskogee, 1799 |
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This flag flew over the Free and Independent
Sate 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."
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Republic of West Florida, 1810 |
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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.
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Patriots Flag, 1812 |
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A group
desiring the independence of Florida occupied Amelia Island
in June of 1817. After four months they were forced to
leave.
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Green Cross Flag, 1817 |
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U.S. and state flags are flown at half-mast upon the death of ranking public officials and former officials.
Flags of the state are exhibited in the State Archives.
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