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Alabama joined the Union of United States in 1819. The state did not have its own flag until its withdrawal from the union in 1861. The current flag of Alabama State was adopted in 1895.

History of Alabama Flag

The Alabama Secession Convention held on January 11, 1861, passed a motion to design their official flag. Montgomery women designed the flag and Francis Corra from the same city did the final touches. The front side of the flag had a picture of the Liberty Goddess holding a sword in her right hand. The Goddess鈥檚 left hand had a small blue flag with a gold star. The top of gold star had the word "ALABAMA" written in capital letters. Above this figure, was an arc bearing the words "Independent Now and Forever." The back of the flag featured a cotton plant picture surrounded by a rattlesnake. Below the plant were the words "Noli Me Tangere" translated as "Touch Me Not" written in Latin. This was the official Alabama State flag until February 10, 1861. The usage of the flag ceased upon its destruction by heavy storms.

Present Alabama Flag

The present flag of Alabama State was adopted in 1895. The Representative, John W.A. Sanford junior, introduced legislation on what the flag should bear. According to Sanford鈥檚 legislation, Alabama鈥檚 flag design features a crimson cross of St. Andrew. The crimson cross lies on a white field. The crosses ought to be no more than six inches. The legislation further states that the bars forming the cross ought to be diagonal from side to side on the flag.

John W.A. Sanford senior, the father to Sanford junior, had given a command regarding the design of the flag during the 60^th Alabama Infantry Regiment. This was during the U.S. Civil War that he came up with a design on the battle flag. The regimental flag had a white saltire over a blue field with white stars surrounding the cross of St. Andrew. The adopted design resembled the flag raised in 1862 by Hilliard鈥檚 Legion. The regimental flag was used up to the end of war then surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse.

Alabama鈥檚 flag white saltire resembles Florida鈥檚 flag saltire, which is a heritage from Spanish Cross of Burgundy. This is due to the fact that, South Alabama initially was part of Spanish Florida. Today鈥檚 Alabama flag has a St. Andrew鈥檚 cross, similar to the Cross of Burgundy. The cross represents the one St. Andrew was crucified on. However, people in Alabama also believe that the crimson saltire on Alabama鈥檚 current flag resembles Confederate Battle Flag. Despite this view, the Confederate Battle Flag has a blue saltire. Most battle flags by that time had a square format and that is the reason why Alabama鈥檚 flag is square. On the other hand, a historian John M. Coski, concludes that Alabama鈥檚 State flag coincides with Jim Crow laws and segregation.

Alabama State Governor鈥檚 Flag

The Alabama governor鈥檚 flag is different from the State flag. His flag鈥檚 top saltire bears the State coat of arms while the bottom saltire has the State military crest. It also has a cotton plant whose ball is fully open.