We mentioned in an earlier post that our homestate was Georgia. While driving through the northwest part of the state last weekend, I saw a large state flag, the new one, flying from the roof of a roadside fruit stand (watermelonohmygodohmygodohmygodsogoodgivemenow). We felt proud. The new flag looks like this:
A few miles later, predictably, we saw the old flag, the one that flew above the state house from 1956 to 2001. It looks like this:
The flag was controversial from the start. Many state groups lobbied for the Georgia legislature to keep the old design, a simple but attractive flag that had flown between 1920 and 1956:
Some even asked for the return of the flag flown until 1879:
The little fellow in the middle represents the defense of the constitution. But back to the ’56 flag. Instituted and voted in as part of a package of bills aimed at fighting federal attempts to integrate Georgia schools, and specifically targeting the effects of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision two years earlier, it incorporated into it’s design a carbon copy of the CSA flag – the Confederate States of America. For over a century, the flag represented to many treason, racial hatred, institutionalized slavery, and a war that killed more Americans than every other international fracas we’ve engaged in. A war capable of slaughtering more than 50,000 men in a single battle. For others, it represented nebulous notions of “culture,” “tradition,” and “history, not hate.”
The flag was a bitter point of contention for decades. When the Olympic Games came to Atlanta in 1996, many participant countries and American business owners and athletes complained about having to play under such a flag. At the time, Democratic Governor Zell Miller attempted to make a change but got soundly defeated in the legislature. It would not be until 2001, when another Democratic Governor occupied the mansion (Roy Barnes) that the flag finally got changed. And boy did it ever, to this monstrosity:
Several survey tagged this flag as the worst in the country, in terms of design and aesthetic appeal. It also gets bad marks for compromise, with a strange an nowhere-near appeasing inclusion of the ’56 flag under the “Georgia’s History” banner. Many Georgians were furious, and the new Governor, Republican Sonny Perdue, was elected in part due to a campaign promise to put the flag issue up for referendum; he would allow Georgians to to vote on which flag they wanted.
Of course, when Sonny won, he was put in a bit of a pickle; follow through on his campaign promise and reinstate a symbol of racism, shameful history and hatred on top of the state house, or keep the flag the way it was and be considered a liar, coward and same-old politician?
In the end, Perdue pulled off a pretty neat trick. He did hold the referendum, but the voters were given but two choices; the current flag, seen at the top of this post, or the hideous flag, seen at the bottom. Again, indignation and relief rose in equal manner.
As for now, the issue is settled. However, it’s interesting and revealing to note how much design can mean, even when (or especially when) divorced from aesthetic consideration. It’s not just furniture, color and clothes.
Excuse me a sec there y’all good kind folks,
The 1956 flag was not, nor can it be proven, changed for any Ga school integration/Federal desegregation rulings. Brown happened in 1954 in Topeka Kansas and the flag change happened 2 years later, not like you state above “and specifically targeting the effects of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision that same year,”
Another opinion you say “For over a century, the flag represented to many treason, racial hatred, institutionalized slavery” while a study from the Ga legislature in August 2000 states “From the end of the Civil War until the late 1940s, display of the battle flag was mostly limited to Confederate commemorations, Civil War re-enactments, and veterans’ parades. The flag had simply become a tribute to Confederate veterans.”
In fact, in sworn testimony under oath, Denmark Groover provided a list of things the state had done all thruout the 1950s to prepare for the upcoming centennial of the war, from the erection of roadside plaques to the purchase of Stone Mountain, the 56 flag was just part of the tribute Georgia did to pay for her Confederate Veterans.and Gallant dead
Research done by the AJC and others turned up no smoking gun to tie the change to racism, and the statements of the people most involved in the change panned out as true for no segregationist sentiment as a motive.
Mr. Bearden:
I apologize for incorrectly attributing the year of the Brown v. Board ruling. The above has been amended to fix the error.
Basis stands by the rest of the article.
What is now commonly referred to as the “56 Flag” was created by a suggestion from Atlanta attorney John Sammons Bell, then-chairman of the State Democratic Party, attorney for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), and later Judge on Georgia Court of Appeals. His desire was to “forever perpetuate the memory of the Confederate soldier who fought and died for his state.”,because as a young boy, he attended reunions of the old Confederate Veterans with his Grandfather, and learned the Battleflag was a soldiers flag.
On July 1st, 1956, Georgia Senate Bill 98 took effect. SB98 was signed into law on February 13th, 1956 by then-Governor Marvin Griffin, and it called for a new design to the Georgia State Flag.
Waynesboro State Senator and former Confederate Colonel Herman H.Perry designed the flag it replaced in 1879, based on the 1st Flag of the Confederacy, AKA Stars and Bars. Similar to our current flag, it had 2 red stripes and 1 white stripe, and a field of blue down the left side, which was a Government flag.
By 1955 however, people like Representative Denmark Groover argued at the time that the old flag never had enough meaning for him when he was a boy and that the new flag “would replace those meaningless stripes with something that has deep meaning in the hearts of all true Southerners”
Others like Senator Jefferson Davis of Cartersville also argued that the state should be entitled to adopt the new flag, because “Georgia suffered more than any other state in the Civil War and endured a scorched earth policy from the mountains of Tennessee to the sea.” SB98 was discussed and passed with little fanfare, and became law on July 1st, 1956.
It is a fact that under the 1879 Perry version flag, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation, and blatant discrimination were widely practiced and flourished in Georgia, as well as across America, but it is also fact that Georgia’s greatest gains in Civil Rights came under the “56 Flag”.
Under the 1956 Bell version flag, Georgia’s schools were fully integrated, Black citizens were no longer lynched, they began enjoying full civil and equal rights in business, political, and social settings. Georgia gained 3 professional sports teams – Falcons, Braves, and Flames – hosted 2 Super bowls, held the 1996 Olympics, and set the pace for the New South.
In 1958, the United States Congress passed laws granting the same rights and recognition enjoyed by Union Veterans to men who served in the Confederate States Army and Navy. To this day Confederate Veterans are United States Veterans.
Public Law 85-425 adopted May 23, 1958 as H.R. 358
AN ACT
To increase the monthly rates of pension payable to widows and former widows of deceased veterans of the Spanish-American War, Civil War, Indian War, and Mexican War, and provide pensions to widows of veterans who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War…
CONFEDERATE FORCES VETERANS
Sec. 410. The Administrator shall pay to each person who served in the military or naval forces of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War a monthly pension in the same amounts and subject to the same conditions as would have been applicable to such… if such forces had been service in the military or naval service of the United States.
Sec. 2. This act shall be effective from the first day of the second calendar month following its enactment.
Unfortunately, the 1956 Bell version flag had its enemies. Attempts at claiming the “56 flag” was changed to fight integration a long 2 years after the Brown vs. Board decision helped begin the BIG LIE that remains to this day. Although the historical facts are out there that plainly refutes this, truth means little for those with agendas.
Concerning those who claim that the flag was “… designed as a last desperate grasp of defiance against integration.” Judge John Sammons Bell said, “Absolutely nothing could be further from the truth … every bit of it is untrue.” He further stated, “Anybody who says anything to the contrary is wrong or perpetuating a willful lie.”
Also during 1956, several newspaper accounts of the proposed change in the GEORGIA FLAG were published. In none of the articles was there any hint that the flag change was for any reason other than that stated by the gentlemen who proposed the change.
Former Governor Ernest Vandiver said
“I can assure you that there was no discussion of segregation or of the U.S. Supreme Court. All that was discussed was the coming centennial of the Civil War and this flag was meant to be a memorial to the bravery, fortitude and courage of the men who fought and died on the battlefield for the Confederacy. More Americans died in that war than any other war in the history of America, before or since.”
In April 1992, the Atlanta Journal Constitution conducted a poll of 43,000 people, and their results were that 75% of citizens wished the “56 Flag” remain as is. Then on July 5th, 1992, the Atlanta Journal Constitution released the results of their own investigation into the flag change of 1956:
“There is little written record of the 1956 Legislature and no audio record. News stories about the change were few. In none of our research did we find any record of a stated connection between changing the flag and opposition to desegregation rulings.”
In a May 29th, 1992 article from the New York Times relating to former Georgia Governer Zell Miller’s failed attempt to change the flag, House Speaker Thomas Murphy from rural Haralson County said he had always promised “my folks” that he would not vote to change the flag. “I personally don’t see anything wrong with the flag we have,” Mr. Murphy said.
On March 9, 1993, Denmark Groover took to the floor of the Georgia House to challenge then Gov. Miller’s proposal to change the 1956 flag. He admitted the obvious that segregation was a heated topic in 1956 and added,
“But those who now say that the legislature was obsessed with the matter of segregation to the exclusion of all other matters know not of what they speak…”
[Groover's March 9, 1993 remarks to the GA House are attached as Exhibit A to his 1994 deposition ]
Denmark Groover listed numerous appropriations made to fund historical markers and the Stone Mountain memorial in preparation for the tourism expected to accompany the 1961 Centennial Observances for the War Between the States:
· 1952 — HR 250-9286 (pp 1250,1331,1689,1815,1828) To Propose and urge the creation of a Confederate Memorial Park at Stone Mountain. Adopted 11Feb.1952
· 1953 — HB 160 (pp 12,131,134,171,374,381) To provide pensions for widows of Confederate Veterans Adopted 4 FEB. 1953
· 1953 — SR 65 (pp 1251,1260,1481,1491,1689) The Confederate Veterans’ Home property was given to the Georgia military department Adopted 1Dec.1953
· 1955 — HR 35 (pp114,134,759) A resolution urging the Governor to purchase Stone Mountain because, “the incomplete and unsightly condition of the Stone Mountain Memorial has long weighed upon the pride and civic conscience of all Georgians.” and the acquisition of Stone Mountain by the State would insure, “a lasting Memorial.” Adopted 18Jan.1955
· 1955 — HR 48 (pp155,200) Recommended the placing of a bust of General “Stonewall” Jackson in the Hall of Fame in New York City. Project was begun by the UDC and had the, “whole hearted endorsement,” by the State. Adopted 20Jan.1955
· 1955 — HR 145 (pp513,680,690,759) A resolution designating December 9th of each year as “Uncle Remus Day” Adopted 15Feb.1955
· 1955 — HR 195 (p800) A resolution honoring ‘Miss Anne Collins as, “Miss Deep South of 1954″ Adopted 16Feb. 1955
· 1955 — HB 14 (pp32,37,51,81,82) A bill to establish the Georgia State War Veterans’ Home Adopted 7June1955
· 1955 — HR 22 (p90) “A resolution naming the new bridge across the Wilmington river “Memorial Bridge” in honor of deceased veterans.” Adopted 17June1955
· 1956 — SR 30 (pp 449,468,1135,1140,1378) a resolution creating the “All-south Centennial Committee of Georgia” Adopted 17Feb.1956
· 1956 — SR 48 (pp1068,1174) A resolution to preserve the Confederate Flags at the Capitol. Adopted 15Feb1956
· 1956 — HB 188 (pp 236,306,309,431) A bill to abolish the State Division of Confederate Pensions and Records. It was amended to put all records with reference to, “the glorious men of the Confederacy,” under control of the Department of Archival History. Adopted 26Jan.1956
· 1956 — HB 241 (pp 297,581,587) A bill to dispose of the Confederate Soldiers’ Home and to provide for the care of widows now living there. Adopted 2Feb.1956
· 1956 — SB 98 (pp 598,602,710,719,856) This is the bill that created the wonderful 1956 State Flag. Adopted9Feb.1956
· 1957 — HR 217 (p1027) A resolution to commend the Confederate Veterans’ Sons (SCV) for their efforts to preserve our glorious heritage. Adopted 20Feb.1957
· 1957 — HB 610 (pp 876,1036) A bill to increase the amount of pension given to widows of Confederate Veterans Adopted 19Feb.1957
· 1957 — HR 234 (pp1100,1179) A resolution to commend the formation of the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial Association and encourage them (it) to finish the monument. Adopted 22Feb.1957
Numerous State funded Historical Markers were placed around Georgia in the following years:
1953-40, 1954-249, 1955-380, 1956-125, 1957-341, 1958-285, 1959-238, 1960-42, 1961-14, 1962-33, 1963-22, 1964-18, 1965-7 .
That’s a total of 1,794 markers placed between 1953 and 1965. Of those, 1,373 were placed between 1953 and 1959. You might reasonably conclude that history and memorials were “on our minds” during those years.
The upcoming centennial of the war was on the minds of many Americans. In 1957, the U.S. Congress issued a joint resolution creating the Civil War Centennial Commission to “coordinate the nationwide observances.” Georgia officials expected a lot of war-related tourism during the observances, so the vast majority of the above historical markers are related to the War for Southern Independence. These markers, the Stone Mountain memorial and the 1956 flag were all efforts to memorialize Georgia’s veterans, Georgia’s people and to present southern pride to all visitors.
Denmark Groover went on to say:
“To now conclude that the flag was adopted primarily as a symbol of segregation is justified only in the minds of those who, for their own purposes, would teach one segment of our population to hate another because of the faults of their ancestors. “
On Thursday, September 26th, 1996, during the annual Carter Town Hall Meeting at Emory University, Former Georgia Governor, Former United States President and Nobel Prize winner Jimmy Carter stated;
“ We should take the attitude that this (1956) flag is not racist in nature,
and the fact that the flag does play a major role in Southern history
is a legitimate historic recognition”
But the lies grew and multiplied. Another bit of untruth was that somehow the flag was “Bad for Business”, and although the previously mentioned sports franchises and events came here under the “56 Flag”, businesses like Home Depot were created here, Coca-Cola thrived and truly went global. Hartsfield Airport became the biggest in the world and 3 Interstates were built. Foreign companies built numerous plants here, and the economy was booming. The “56 Flag” was seen in movies like Smokey and the Bandit, and on TV shows like Matlock. Regardless, truth was ignored and facts tossed out the window.
In 1994, James Andrew Coleman filed a Federal Lawsuit against then Governor Zell Miller over the 56 Flag. Mr Coleman lost the suit and the flag remained, but once again Denmark Groover stood up to the plate, and in his deposition under oath he stated
” I have no personal knowledge which would dispute the purely historical motives which were expressed then and since by the sponsors and others involved with the legislation when it was introduced in the Senate. While I cannot say that the Supreme Court’s rulings regarding desegregation played absolutely no role in my decision to support the bill in the House, I can say that segregationist sentiment was not the overriding or even a significant factor in my vote concerning the new flag, or, based on personal observation and knowledge, in its ultimate adoption by the House….”
It all finally came to a head in January 2001, when Ex-Governor Roy Barnes Blitzkrieged the legislature with threats, lies, and intimidation. Having ran on a campaign not to touch the flag, and just finished an interview on CNN in October 2000, stating the flag was not an issue, his flag change happened so fast not even most legislators knew what was happening. Those who voted with him received extra money for their campaigns and districts, those who refused were stripped of funding, or even in the case of Bowdon’s Jack West, had his district removed thru redistricting for voting against the change.
Barnes told the media that Georgians will forget in 3 months, but Georgians are not as stupid as politicians think they are and voted him and his Democratic party out of power for the first time in 132 years. Roy Barnes was also dropped as a Vice Presidential Candidate option from the 2004 National Democratic Ticket. Under the Barnes Rag, our school children were dropped from 49th to 50th in education rankings, and the economy tanked. Barnes even lied about securing the infamous Mercedes Benz plant.
Georgia based troops have taken the “56 Flag” with them onto the foreign battlefields of Viet Nam, Grenada, Beirut, Bosnia, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq – and just as their Confederate ancestors before them – fought and died for their homes, families, and flag. Millions of Georgia citizens aged 5 to 50 were born under that flag.
The well-respected Mason Dixon Polling Firm conducted a Georgia flag poll in 2004. It shows that 79% of Georgians say the Flag issue is not settled and demand what is termed a ‘Fair Flag Vote’ as originally promised by Governor Sonny Perdue.
The Civil War was not fought as a defensive action against an invading army. It was the southern states who seceded, who fired the first shots, and who surrendered only after massive casualties and destruction had long since deemed the war a useless fight. If you wish to pretend that the Confederate Flag has nothing to do with white supremacy, with armed insurrection against the United States of America, and with an intrinsic endorsement of slavery and anti-democratic passion, that is your right. Thanks for taking the time to give such a fulsome response.
Wow Wes, why the angry reply?
I thought the topic was the Ga Flag History, and in the interest of truthfulness and fairness to the readers, honestly believed that sharing my research of the 1956 – 2001 Ga State Flag would actually be a favor.
Now we are heading into another topic. OK, fine. Fort Sumter Commander Buchannan had an agreement with Confederate leaders to peacefully surrender the fort after a period of time. Talks with the Lincoln Administration lead officials in the Confederate Govt to believe a good faith effort was being made to turn over the fort to South Carolina. Secretly however, Lincoln had sent the Star of the West to resupply the fort with men, weapons and provisions.
While General Beauregard was awaiting the transfer, into Charelston Harbor came the Union ships. A total disregard of the former agreements, a blatant show of provocation, and a real act of war.
So, yes, while you are correct the “The first shots” were from Confederate guns, the cause of the war was begun by President Lincoln himself.
Regardless of the side issues like wether or not Confederate Brigadier General and Cherokee Indian Stand Watie led the Cherokee Braves into battle for White Supremacy or the little community in western New York near Buffalo called Town Line also left the Union to preserve Slavery and didn’t rejoin the United States until 1961 is not the topic of this thread, It is about the Georgia Flags.
Please feel free to check and double check the facts I have provided here. Any readers who can prove anything I listed as false please post it asap. I am always eager to learn and compile complete and factual history.
Thanks and God Bless Wes and everyone!
Billy Bearden