Georgia

Timeline

1. 1879

   to 1902
   

   First official state flag adopted

   Georgia adopted a flag with a blue vertical band and red-and-white stripes, based on the Confederacy’s Stars and Bars.

   ga.gov · georgiaencyclopedia.org · wikipedia.org

2. 1902

   to 1906

   Coat of arms specified

   A law stipulated that the state’s coat of arms be added to the blue band, though researchers found no surviving flags with that exact design.

   georgiaencyclopedia.org · wikipedia.org

3. 1906

   to 1920
   

   Shield-and-ribbon design appears

   The coat of arms appeared on a white shield, with a red ribbon bearing “Georgia” below it.

   wikipedia.org · georgiaencyclopedia.org

4. 1914

   Seal date changed on flags

   After the state seal’s date changed from 1799 to 1776, flag designs displaying a date beneath the coat of arms followed suit.

   georgiaencyclopedia.org · wikipedia.org

5. 1920

   to 1956
   

   Version used 1920–1956

   It used the state seal in place of the coat of arms on the earlier flag design.

6. 1956

   to 2001
   

   Confederate battle flag added

   The legislature replaced the earlier design with a flag prominently featuring the Confederate battle emblem.

   wikipedia.org · georgiaencyclopedia.org

7. 2001

   to 2003
   

   History-themed flag adopted

   A new flag displayed small images of selected former Georgia flags beneath the words “Georgia’s History.”

   wikipedia.org · crwflags.com

8. 2003

   Current flag adopted

   The legislature adopted a design with the state seal, thirteen stars, and a layout based on the Confederacy’s Stars and Bars.

   wikipedia.org

9. 2004

   Voters affirmed current design

   In a statewide referendum, voters chose the 2003 design over the 2001 flag.

   wikipedia.org