Recently there’s been a lot of chatter about the Confederate flag. Many seem to have mixed feelings about it, many are misinformed when they say it represents slavery and many just don’t care either way.
Before I continue, I must point out that although I will objectively present information to you about Florida’s history, this is still a blog. Occasionally, my opinion will be weaved through parts of my text. With that said, I believe the flag represents the Confederate States of the America, furthermore, I believe it represents state’s rights.
It should be noticed that this particular flag was not the first flag of the Confederacy. The first Confederate flag, “Stars And Bars”, was created in 1861 and used until 1863. “Stars and Bars” was used for such a short time because of its great similarity to the U.S. flag flown by the U.S. army, it caused confusion on the battle field.
This flag pictured above, which is most commonly defended and associated with the Confederacy, is a combination of the battle flag of the Confederacy and second Confederate Navy Jack. This flag is often incorrectly confused with “Stars and Bars”. Southerners refer to this flag as the “rebel flag” or “The Dixie flag” or simply “Dixie”. The key difference between “Stars and Bars” and “Dixie” is that “Dixie” features a saltire, or Saint Andrew’s Cross.
***To learn more about Confederate flag history and to see photos of “Stars and Bars” and all of the Confederate flags, please refer to my list of sources at the bottom of this blogpost.
For 40 years beginning in 1821, Florida had no official flag- the British, Spanish and French all flew flags over parts of present day Jacksonville and Saint Augustine. It has been estimated that 16 unique flags have flown in Florida. However, when Florida seceded from the Union in 1861, it adopted a series of Confederate flags as unofficial flags.
Out of the sixteen flags that have flown over Florida, three have represented the Confederate States of America. Although the final Confederate flag flown in Florida dated around 1865, the first flag of Florida was actually presented to Florida Governor Moseley in 1845. This flag never became official because of its unpopularity with the motto it bore. I actually like it.
The first official flag of Florida was introduced in 1861, while the confederate flag was still flying in Florida. Florida finally had an official flag, however, there is a lot of doubt by historians that this flag was even flown over Tallahassee. There is a lot of speculation that the confederate flag flown during the same time took priority over the first official flag of Florida.
Florida would go on to have three other official flags until 1900 when Florida legislature added diagonal red bars to a previously plain flag that only bore Florida’s seal. The governor during 1900, Francis Fleming, suggested the diagonal red bars so that the flag was not “too white”- Florida government officials did not want the flag to look too similar to a symbol of truce.
Left: Florida's official state flag in 1868.
However, many historians argue that the diagonal bars were added to allude to the symbol of saltire or Saint Andrew’s cross (mentioned earlier), also featured on the Confederate battle flag and Navy Jacks.
Left: This flag was introduced by Governor Bloxham in 1900.
Whether or not our current flag is a nod to the Confederacy is still a debate- with both arguments presenting logical arguments why or why not this is true.
All I can hope for is that our current flag of Florida will never change. This is the flag I grew up with and that I am so proud of today.
Sources:
http://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-flag/floridas-historic-flags/national-flags/the-burgundian-saltire-1565-1763/
http://www.museumsouthernhistory.com/flags/flagsofflorida.html
http://www.civilwar.com/resources/313-flags/150182-confederate-flag-history.html
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/Index.cfm?Mode=Constitution&Submenu=3&Tab=statutes#A2S04
http://floridaflag.facts.co/floridastateflagof/floridaflag.php
A little boy petting a deer at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. Photo credit: State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
With a vote of 29,313 students, the Florida panther won the title of the “official state animal”. The alligator was not far behind with 23,901 votes. The manatee and Key deer placed third and fourth, respectively.
A Florida panther seen in the Everglades
In 1892, the Panther was proclaimed by the Florida Legislature as its official state animal.
Although the panther is the official state animal, the alligator, which personally I think should have be dubbed “state animal”, is our state reptile. Alligators seem so much more Florida-esque than panthers. I mean, are deep-fried panther bites served at Florida restaurants? No. Does the Florida panther have an amazing SEC football team named after it? No. Is the panther portrayed in fashion by designers inspired by the Florida lifestyle? NO.
Fried gator tail from Frenchy's Salt Water Cafe in Clearwater,FL
Smokin Gator Casper's Alligator and Ostrich Farm just outside St. Augustine
It makes me wonder what the kids who voted on making the panther our state animal were thinking. Who knows. Kids.
Sources:
http://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-animal/
http://www.stateofflorida.com/florida-symbols.aspx
http://www.panthersociety.org/faq.html
http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/animals/fl_panther.htm
The Ocala-Star Newspaper- December 11, 1981
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19811211&id=Q65PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UgYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3451,6920696&hl=en
