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The Alabama State Flag
Though Alabama entered the Union in 1819, it wasn't until the state seceded from the Union in 1861 that Alabamans adopted a flag of their own. At the Secession Convention of January 11, 1861, distressed Alabama citizens decided to withdraw from the Union of the United States. At the same time, they adopted their own flag. Designed by a group of Montgomery women, the "Secession Convention Flag" became Alabama's first official flag. Because Alabama had left the union, the flag was often referred to as the "Republic of Alabama flag." The Republic of Alabama flag did not fly long. On February 10, 1861, one month after it was adopted, the flag was damaged in a severe storm and was moved to the Governor's office, never to fly over Alabama again. Without a flag of their own, Alabamans rallied under the flags of the Confederate States of America. From March 4, 1861 until April, 1865 one of two Confederate National Flags waved over Alabama soil. After the war, the flag of the United States was raised over the state. It flew until 1891 when Alabama finally decided on a design for a unique state flag.
Four years later, on February 16, 1895, 76 years after being admitted to the Union, the Alabama Legislature authorized the "crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white" as its official flag in the Acts of Alabama. Reminiscent of the Confederate battle flag, it was designated that the crimson bars were not to be less than six inches broad and were to extend diagonally across the flag. Because Act 383 did not specify a particular format, the flag is sometimes depicted as a square and at other times depicted as a rectangle. For years the crimson cross has flown proudly over the state of Alabama. Alabama Flag LawThe following information was excerpted from The Code of Alabama, 1975, Title 1, Chapter 2 & 2A. TITLE 1.
The flag of the State of Alabama shall be a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white. The bars forming the cross shall be not less than six inches broad, and must extend diagonally across the flag from side to side. (Code 1896, §3751; Code 1907, §2058; Code 1923, §2995; Code 1940, T. 55, §5.) § 1-2-6. Flag of the state - Display. The flag of the state shall be hoisted on the dome of the Capitol when the two houses of the Legislature are in session, and shall be used by the state on all occasions when it may be necessary or customary to display a flag, except when, in the opinion of the Governor, the national flag should be displayed. (Code 1896, §3752; Code 1907, §2059; Code 1923, §2996; Code 1940, T. 55, §6.) Chapter 2A. THE ALABAMA STATE FLAG ACT. § 1-2A-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Alabama State Flag Act." (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §1.) § 1-2A-2. Historical information. The Legislature finds it is appropriate to include within this chapter general history and related information concerning the state flag. The state did not have a flag from 1819 to January 11, 1861, when a resolution was passed designating a flag designed by a group of Montgomery women as the "Republic of Alabama Flag." One side of this flag displayed, under an arch bearing the words "Independent Now and Forever," the Goddess of Liberty holding in her right hand an unsheathed sword and in her left hand a small flag with one star. Displayed on the reverse side of this flag were a large cotton plant in full fruit and flower, a coiled rattlesnake, and the Latin words "Noli Me Tangere" (Touch Me Not) beneath the cotton plant. This flag, which flew for about a month, was removed to the Governor's office on February 10, 1861, apparently suffering damage caused by severe weather. The Republic of Alabama Flag was never flown again. From April 1865 until 1895, the State of Alabama flew the United States Flag during all official occasions. The Alabama State Flag as it exists today was adopted on February 16, 1895, pursuant to Act No. 383 of the 1895 Legislature of Alabama (Acts 1894-1895, p. 719), which is codified as Section 1-2-5, Code of Alabama 1975. Section 1-2-5, Code of Alabama 1975, provides\: "The flag of the state of Alabama shall be a crimson cross of St. Andrew on a field of white. The bars forming the cross shall be not less than six inches broad, and must extend diagonally across the flag from side to side." The St. Andrew's Cross resembles the letter "X" in the English alphabet and is also referred to as the "saltier" or "Crux Decussata." According to tradition, Andrew, the brother of Peter, was crucified on a cross of this shape. Andrew did not feel worthy enough to die on the same style of cross on which Christ died and requested a cross of another shape. His request was granted and he was crucified upside down on a cross which now bears his name. Rather than using nails to secure his limbs to the cross, Andrew was bound to the cross with ropes. His suffering was thus prolonged. St. Andrew's Cross came into wide use during the Medieval Period and became the national cross of Scotland, since St. Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland. Currently, Alabama law requires the display of the Alabama State Flag at all schools supported by public funds when school is in session. The State Superintendent of Education has determined that the Alabama State Flag must be hoisted on a pole to be appropriately displayed at school buildings. The salute to the Alabama State Flag provides: "Flag of Alabama I salute thee. To thee I pledge my allegiance, my service, and my life." (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §2.) § 1-2A-3. Flag display protocol. For purposes of this chapter and any other provision of general law, appropriate flag display protocol shall expressly include, but not be limited to, the requirement that when flown on the same pole, the order of placement from top to bottom shall be the United States flag, the state flag, and other flags. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §3.) § 1-2A-4. Display of Alabama State Flag - Courthouses. (a) Each county courthouse and courthouse annex in which a court sits on a regular basis shall prominently display the Alabama State Flag, in accordance with appropriate flag display protocol, on a flag pole or flag poles located near the main entrance of the courthouse and the courthouse annex. If the main entrance of a courthouse annex is clearly visible from the main entrance of the courthouse, or if the courthouse and courthouse annex are attached, the flag may be located near the main entrance of the courthouse only. (b) Unless otherwise acquired pursuant to gift, donation, or other means, the flags and flag poles required by this section shall be purchased by the county within three years after August 1, 2001. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §4.) § 1-2A-5. Display of Alabama State Flag - Law enforcement agencies. (a) Each state, county, and municipal law enforcement agency headquarters, including the headquarters for state troopers, peace officers, marine police officers, and local police officers, shall prominently display the Alabama State Flag, in accordance with appropriate flag display protocol, on a flag pole or flag poles located near the main entrance of the building. (b) Unless otherwise acquired pursuant to gift, donation, or other means, the flags and flag poles required by this section shall be purchased by the applicable law enforcement agency within three years after August 1, 2001. (c) Any municipality with a population of 1,000 or less, according to the most recent federal decennial census, shall be exempt from this section unless other flags are being flown in the municipality by the municipality. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §5.) § 1-2A-6. Display of Alabama State Flag - State parks or historic sites. (a) Each state park or historic site administrative building, which is located on park property and open to the general public, shall prominently display the Alabama State Flag, in accordance with appropriate flag display protocol, on a flag pole or flag poles located near the main entrance of each administrative building. (b) Unless otherwise acquired pursuant to gift, donation, or other means, the flags and flag poles required by this section shall be purchased by the applicable park or historic site within three years after August 1, 2001. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §6.) § 1-2A-7. Display of Alabama State Flag - Department or agency facilities. (a) Each facility or building located in this state that is affiliated with any department or agency of the state and supported in whole or in part by public funds, shall prominently display the Alabama State Flag, in accordance with appropriate flag display protocol, on a flag pole or flag poles located near the main entrance of each facility or building. Any facility or building that is not in public view or open to the general public, or is used only for storage or other warehouse purposes, may be exempt from the requirements of this section at the discretion of the director or chief official of the department or agency. (b) Unless otherwise acquired pursuant to gift, donation, or other means, the flags and flag poles required by this section shall be purchased by the applicable department or agency within three years after August 1, 2001. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §7.) § 1-2A-8. Display of Alabama State Flag - Municipal buildings. (a) Each municipal building located in this state which is open to the general public and supported in whole or in part by public funds, shall prominently display the Alabama State Flag, in accordance with appropriate flag display protocol, on a flag pole or flag poles located near the main entrance of each building. (b) Unless otherwise acquired pursuant to gift, donation, or other means, the flags and flag poles required by this section shall be purchased by the applicable municipality within three years after August 1, 2001. (c) Any municipality with a population of 1,000 or less, according to the most recent federal decennial census, shall be exempt from this section unless other flags are being flown in the municipality by the municipality. (Act 2001-472, p. 629, §9.) Source: The Alabama Legislture, Alabama Legislative Information System Online, June 30, 2007.
Additional InformationState Flag of Alabama: from the Alabama Department of Archives & History.. Proper shape of Alabama State flag:
1987 opinion of the Alabama Attorney General concerning "the proper shape of the Alabama State flag and the proper
intersection of arms of the cross of St. Andrew on the flag." Alabama (U.S.): FOTW "Flags of the World" Web Site. State Flags: Complete list of state flags with links to large pictures and coloring print-outs. Flag Terminology: The parts of a flag and terms associated with its design. Visit Our Flag Shop: Purchase all kinds of flags and banners, lapel pins, 50 state flag sets, decals, patches, college banners at the Flag Shop. Flags of the Fifty States and their Incredible Histories: A complete guide to America's most powerful symbols by Randy Howe. How Proudly They Wave: Flags of the Fifty States: This book, by Rita D. Haban, is geared toward younger readers. |
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