Flag of Florida
Encyclopedia
The flag
of the State of Florida consists of a red saltire
(diagonal cross) on a white background, with the seal of Florida
superimposed on the center. The design was approved by a popular referendum in 1900. The current design has been in use since 1985, after the State Seal was graphically improved and officially sanctioned for use by State officials.
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Spain, which was a union and federation of kingdoms at the time Juan Ponce de León
arrived in Florida, had no official flag at the time. Several flags were used during this period, such as the standard of the Crown of Castile
in Pensacola, the "senyera" of the Crown of Aragon
, and the Cross of Burgundy flag
of the Spanish Empire
in St. Augustine. Like with other Spanish territories in Americas, the Burgundian Saltire was generally used in Florida to represent collective Spanish rule between 1513 to 1763.
In 1763, the Spanish passed control of Florida to Great Britain via the treaty of Paris. Britain used the original union flag with the white diagonal stripes in Florida. The British also divided the Florida territory into East Florida
, with its capital at St. Augustine, and West Florida
, with its capital at Pensacola. Spain regained control of Florida in 1783. In 1785, King Charles III chose a new national flag
for Spain, which was now more unified than before. This flag flew over the provinces of East Florida and West Florida until 1821, when Spain ceded Florida to the United States.
Between 1821 and 1861, Florida had no official flag. The Lone Star and Stripes, previously the Naval Ensign of Texas
, was used as a provisional flag in 1861, when Florida declared its independence from the Union
and seceded. This flag was also used when State forces took control of the federal forts and a navy yard in Pensacola. Col. William H. Chase was Commander of Florida Troops and the flag is also referred to as the Chase Flag. Later in the year the Florida Legislature
passed a law authorizing the Governor Perry to design an official flag for the State. His design was the Stars and Bars
but with the blue field extending all the way down the flag and the newly created seal of Florida within the blue field. As part of the Confederacy, Florida flew all three versions of the Confederate flag and the Bonnie Blue flag which was briefly used as an unofficial flag of the Confederacy before the first flag was adopted. The Bonnie Blue flag had a single five-point star centered in a blue background and was previously used as the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida in 1810 which included parts of modern day Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Between 1868 and 1900, the flag of Florida
was simply the Seal of Florida on a white background. In discrepancy however, the State Seal depicted a steamboat with a white flag that included a red saltire, similar to Florida's current flag or to the Spanish Cross of Burgundy
. Spain had used the Cross of Burgundy since at least 1506, and it claimed Florida
as a new territory in 1513.
In the late 1890s, Governor Francis P. Fleming
suggested that a red cross be added so that it would not appear to be a white flag
of retreat hanging still on a flagpole. This was approved by popular referendum in 1900. This design resembles the Cross of Burgundy flag
, which was likely used in Florida since 1559 with the founding of Pensacola
, and definitely used since the founding of St. Augustine
in 1565.
, France
, Great Britain
, the United States
, and the Confederacy
have flown over Florida. At various times in its history, at least 16 different flags have flown over Florida or parts of Florida.
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
of the State of Florida consists of a red saltire
Saltire
A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross....
(diagonal cross) on a white background, with the seal of Florida
Seal of Florida
The Great Seal of the State of Florida is used to represent the Government of the State of Florida, and for various official purposes, such as to seal official documents and legislation. It is also commonly used on state government buildings, vehicles and other effects of the state government...
superimposed on the center. The design was approved by a popular referendum in 1900. The current design has been in use since 1985, after the State Seal was graphically improved and officially sanctioned for use by State officials.
History
Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer. He became the first Governor of Puerto Rico by appointment of the Spanish crown. He led the first European expedition to Florida, which he named...
arrived in Florida, had no official flag at the time. Several flags were used during this period, such as the standard of the Crown of Castile
Crown of Castile
The Crown of Castile was a medieval and modern state in the Iberian Peninsula that formed in 1230 as a result of the third and definitive union of the crowns and parliaments of the kingdoms of Castile and León upon the accession of the then King Ferdinand III of Castile to the vacant Leonese throne...
in Pensacola, the "senyera" of the Crown of Aragon
Crown of Aragon
The Crown of Aragon Corona d'Aragón Corona d'Aragó Corona Aragonum controlling a large portion of the present-day eastern Spain and southeastern France, as well as some of the major islands and mainland possessions stretching across the Mediterranean as far as Greece...
, and the Cross of Burgundy flag
Cross of Burgundy Flag
The Cross of Burgundy flag was used by Spain 1506-1701 as a naval ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag, and still appears on regimental colours, badges, shoulder patches and company guidons...
of the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
in St. Augustine. Like with other Spanish territories in Americas, the Burgundian Saltire was generally used in Florida to represent collective Spanish rule between 1513 to 1763.
In 1763, the Spanish passed control of Florida to Great Britain via the treaty of Paris. Britain used the original union flag with the white diagonal stripes in Florida. The British also divided the Florida territory into East Florida
East Florida
East Florida was a colony of Great Britain from 1763–1783 and of Spain from 1783–1822. East Florida was established by the British colonial government in 1763; as its name implies it consisted of the eastern part of the region of Florida, with West Florida comprising the western parts. Its capital...
, with its capital at St. Augustine, and West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
, with its capital at Pensacola. Spain regained control of Florida in 1783. In 1785, King Charles III chose a new national flag
Flag of Spain
The flag of Spain , as it is defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the size of each red stripe...
for Spain, which was now more unified than before. This flag flew over the provinces of East Florida and West Florida until 1821, when Spain ceded Florida to the United States.
Between 1821 and 1861, Florida had no official flag. The Lone Star and Stripes, previously the Naval Ensign of Texas
Flag of Texas
The Flag of the State of Texas is defined by law as follows:The Texas flag is known as the "Lone Star Flag" . This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton...
, was used as a provisional flag in 1861, when Florida declared its independence from the Union
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and seceded. This flag was also used when State forces took control of the federal forts and a navy yard in Pensacola. Col. William H. Chase was Commander of Florida Troops and the flag is also referred to as the Chase Flag. Later in the year the Florida Legislature
Florida Legislature
The Florida State Legislature is the term often used to refer to the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The Florida Constitution states that "The legislative power of the state shall be vested in a legislature of the State of Florida," composed of a Senate...
passed a law authorizing the Governor Perry to design an official flag for the State. His design was the Stars and Bars
Flags of the Confederate States of America
There were only three flag designs adopted, with later, minor variants made to those designs, that served as the official national flags of the Confederate States of America and used during its existence from 1861 to 1865...
but with the blue field extending all the way down the flag and the newly created seal of Florida within the blue field. As part of the Confederacy, Florida flew all three versions of the Confederate flag and the Bonnie Blue flag which was briefly used as an unofficial flag of the Confederacy before the first flag was adopted. The Bonnie Blue flag had a single five-point star centered in a blue background and was previously used as the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida in 1810 which included parts of modern day Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Between 1868 and 1900, the flag of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
was simply the Seal of Florida on a white background. In discrepancy however, the State Seal depicted a steamboat with a white flag that included a red saltire, similar to Florida's current flag or to the Spanish Cross of Burgundy
Cross of Burgundy Flag
The Cross of Burgundy flag was used by Spain 1506-1701 as a naval ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag, and still appears on regimental colours, badges, shoulder patches and company guidons...
. Spain had used the Cross of Burgundy since at least 1506, and it claimed Florida
Spanish Florida
Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish territory of Florida, which formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the Spanish Empire. Originally extending over what is now the southeastern United States, but with no defined boundaries, la Florida was a component of...
as a new territory in 1513.
In the late 1890s, Governor Francis P. Fleming
Francis P. Fleming
Francis Philip Fleming was an American politician and the 15th Governor of Florida from 1889 to 1893. Fleming was a Democrat, strong supporter of segregation and an opponent of civil rights for blacks...
suggested that a red cross be added so that it would not appear to be a white flag
White flag
White flags have had different meanings throughout history and depending on the locale.-Flag of temporary truce in order to parley :...
of retreat hanging still on a flagpole. This was approved by popular referendum in 1900. This design resembles the Cross of Burgundy flag
Cross of Burgundy Flag
The Cross of Burgundy flag was used by Spain 1506-1701 as a naval ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag, and still appears on regimental colours, badges, shoulder patches and company guidons...
, which was likely used in Florida since 1559 with the founding of Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
, and definitely used since the founding of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
in 1565.
Five Flags over Florida
The term "Five Flags over Florida" usually refers to the five governments that have exerted sovereignty over all or part of Florida: the flags of SpainSpain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
have flown over Florida. At various times in its history, at least 16 different flags have flown over Florida or parts of Florida.
See also
- State of Florida
- Cross of Burgundy flagCross of Burgundy FlagThe Cross of Burgundy flag was used by Spain 1506-1701 as a naval ensign, and up to 1843 as the land battle flag, and still appears on regimental colours, badges, shoulder patches and company guidons...
- Spanish EmpireSpanish EmpireThe Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
- Symbols of the State of Florida
- Great Seal of the State of Florida
- Flag of AlabamaFlag of AlabamaThe current flag of the state of Alabama was adopted by Act 383 of the Alabama state legislature on February 16, 1895:The cross of St. Andrew referred to in the law is a diagonal cross, known in vexillology as a saltire...