Flag of Mississippi

Last updated

State of Mississippi
Flag of Mississippi.svg
Other namesMississippi flag, "In God We Trust" flag, New Magnolia flag
Use Civil and state flag FIAV 110000.svg FIAV normal.svg IFIS Mirror.svg IFIS Vertical normal.svg
Proportion3∶5
AdoptedJanuary 11, 2021;3 years ago (2021-01-11)
DesignA white magnolia blossom surrounded by 21 stars and the words 'In God We Trust' written below, all put over a blue Canadian pale with two gold borders on a red field. The topmost star is composed of a pattern of five diamonds. The other 20 stars are white.
Designed byRocky Vaughan, Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Dominique Pugh, and Micah Whitson [1]

The flag of Mississippi consists of a white magnolia blossom surrounded by 21 stars and the words 'In God We Trust' written below, all put over a blue Canadian pale with two vertical gold borders on a red field. The topmost star is composed of a pattern of five diamonds, an Indigenous symbol; [2] the other 20 stars are white, as Mississippi was the 20th state to join the Union. The flag was adopted on January 11, 2021.

Contents

Mississippi has had three official state flags in its history. The first flag, known as the "Magnolia Flag", was adopted in 1861 and consisted of a "Flag of white ground, a magnolia tree in the centre, a blue field in the upper left hand corner with a white star in the centre, ... with a red border and a red fringe at the extremity of the Flag". [3] The Magnolia Flag was declared to be "null and void" by a state constitutional convention in 1865 and the state was left without an official flag until the second one was adopted in 1894. [4]

The second flag, designed by Edward N. Scudder and adopted in 1894, consisted of a triband of three equal horizontal stripes of blue, white, and red, with a canton of the Confederate battle flag. The thirteen stars on the state flag officially represented "the number of the original states of the Union", although they are sometimes thought to be for the states that seceded from the Union plus Missouri and Kentucky, which had both Confederate and Union governing bodies. [5] From 1894 to 1956, and again from 2003 to 2020, this was the only state flag to incorporate the Confederate battle flag into its design, Georgia being the other from 1956 to 2003. In response to the George Floyd protests in 2020, state legislators proposed new flag designs omitting the Confederate flag. [6] [7]

On June 27, 2020, Governor Tate Reeves stated that if the Mississippi Legislature passed a bill that weekend addressing the flag issue, he would sign it into law. [8] [9] [10] Subsequently, on June 28, 2020, the Legislature passed a bill to repeal the sections of the Mississippi State Code which made provisions for a state flag, mandate the Mississippi Department of Archives and History develop a plan for the removal of the former flag from public buildings within 15 days of the bill's effective date, and establish a commission to design a replacement that would exclude the Confederate battle flag and include the U.S. national motto "In God We Trust". [11] [12] [13] [14] Reeves then signed it into law on June 30, 2020. [15] [16]

The third flag was designed by Rocky Vaughan, Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles, Daniel Pugh, and Micah Whitson. It was chosen by the commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag, which was established by the same June 2020 Mississippi House bill which retired the second flag. The commission received thousands of submissions, and narrowed them down to a single choice, which was submitted for public vote as a ballot measure on November 3, 2020. Voters approved the new design in a two-choice vote but the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the new proposed design was never approved by voters directly. [17] [18] It is one of three U.S. state flags to feature the words "In God We Trust" (the U.S. national motto), with the other two being those of Florida and Georgia.

History

First flag (1861–1865)

Before 1861, Mississippi lacked a flag. When the State Convention at the Capitol in Jackson declared its secession from the United States ("the Union") on January 9, 1861, [19] near the start of the American Civil War, spectators in the balcony handed a Bonnie Blue flag down to the state convention delegates on the convention floor, [20] and one was raised over the state capitol building in Jackson as a sign of independence. [21] Later that night, residents of Jackson paraded through the streets under the banner. Harry McCarthy, an Irish singer and playwright who observed the street parade, was inspired to write the patriotic song "The Bonnie Blue Flag." [20] [22]

The first flag was known as the "Magnolia flag." It was the official state flag from March 30, 1861, until August 22, 1865. [4] On January 26, 1861, the delegates to the state convention approved the report of a special committee that had been appointed to design a coat of arms and "a suitable flag." [20] The flag recommended by the committee was "A Flag of white ground, a magnolia tree in the center, a blue field in the upper left hand corner with a white star in the center, the Flag to be finished with a red border and a red fringe at the extremity of the Flag." [3] Due to time constraints and the pressure to raise "means for the defense of the state," the delegates neglected to adopt the flag officially in January but did so when they reassembled in March 1861. [23] The Magnolia Flag was not widely used during the war, as the various Confederate flags were displayed more frequently. [24] Following the war's end, a state constitutional convention nullified many of the ordinances and resolutions passed by the State Convention of 1861. Among those nullified was the ordinance of March 1861 "to provide a Coat of Arms and Flag for the State of Mississippi." [25]

Second flag (1894–2020)

On February 7, 1894, the Legislature replaced the Civil War era Magnolia Flag with a new one designed by Edward N. Scudder that incorporated the Confederate battle flag in its canton. [20] This second state flag consisted of three equal horizontal triband of blue, white, and red, with the canton of the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia. The 13 stars on the state flag officially represented "the number of the original states of the Union"; though they are sometimes thought to have been for states that seceded from the Union, plus Missouri and Kentucky which had Union and Confederate governments. [5]

The Mississippi Code of 1972, in Title 3, Chapter 3, described the flag as follows:

§ 3-3-16. Design of state flag. The official flag of the State of Mississippi shall have the following design: with width two-thirds (2/3) of its length; with the union (canton) to be square, in width two-thirds (2/3) of the width of the flag; the ground of the union to be red and a broad blue saltire thereon, bordered with white and emblazoned with thirteen (13) mullets or five-pointed stars, corresponding with the number of the original States of the Union; the field to be divided into three (3) bars of equal width, the upper one blue, the center one white, and the lower one, extending the whole length of the flag, red (the national colors); this being the flag adopted by the Mississippi Legislature in the 1894 Special Session. [26] [27]

In 1906, Mississippi adopted a revised legal code that repealed all general laws that were not reenacted by the legislature or brought forward in the new code. [28] The legislature inadvertently omitted mention of the 1894 flag, leaving the state with no official state flag from 1906 to 2001. [29] [26] In 2000, the Supreme Court of Mississippi confirmed that the state legislature had in 1906 repealed the 1894 adoption of the state flag; [30] the flag used since then and considered official had actually only been customary or traditional. [31]

Early proposals to change the 1894 flag

2001 referendum

In January 2001, then-Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed an independent commission which developed a new proposed flag design. [27] [31] On April 17, 2001, a legally binding [32] [33] state referendum to change the flag was put before Mississippi voters by the legislature on recommendation of this commission. [29]

The referendum, which asked voters if the new design prepared by the independent commission should be adopted, was defeated in a vote of 64% (488,630 votes) to 36% (267,812), and the 1894 state flag was retained. [34] The proposed flag would have replaced the Confederate rebel battle flag with a blue square canton with 20 white stars in a circular row. The outer ring of 13 stars would represent the original Thirteen Colonies, the middle ring of six stars would represent the six nations that have had sovereignty over Mississippi Territory (various Native American nations as a collective nation, French Empire, Spanish Empire, Great Britain, the United States, and the Confederacy) as well as the six states that precede Mississippi's admission (Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, and Indiana), and the inner and slightly larger star would represent Mississippi itself. The 20 stars would also represent Mississippi's status as the 20th U.S. state and member of the United States of America. [35]

When Georgia adopted a new state flag in 2003, the Mississippi flag remained the only U.S. state flag to include the Confederate battle flag's saltire. In 2001 a survey conducted by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) placed Mississippi's flag 22nd in design quality of the 72 Canadian provincial, U.S. state, and U.S. territorial flags ranked. [36]

2015 replacement efforts

In the wake of the 2015 Charleston, South Carolina, church shooting, in which nine black parishioners of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were killed by Confederacy admirer and white supremacist Dylann Roof, there were renewed calls for Southern states to cease using the Confederate battle flag in official capacities. [37] This extended to increased criticism of Mississippi's state flag. All eight public universities in Mississippi, along with "several cities and counties", including Biloxi, later refused to fly the state flag until the emblem was removed. The flag was excluded from state-flag displays in New Jersey, Oregon, and Philadelphia that included the flags of the other 49 states. [37] [38] [39] [40] [41]

Over 20 flag-related bills, some calling for another statewide referendum, were introduced in the legislature in 2015 and 2016, but none made it out of committee. [37] A 2016 federal lawsuit alleging that the flag is tantamount to "state-sanctioned hate speech" was dismissed by both a district court and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. [42] [43] The US Supreme Court declined to hear the case. [44] [ better source needed ]

Hospitality and Bicentennial flags

An alternative was devised in 2014 by artist Laurin Stennis, granddaughter of former U.S. senator John C. Stennis. Her proposal was originally dubbed the "Declare Mississippi flag" but was popularly called the "Stennis flag" and later renamed the "Hospitality flag". In June 2020, Stennis stepped back from the effort to change the 1894 flag, citing potential harm associated with her last name, which she shares with her grandfather who was a segregationist for much of his career. In August 2020, the copyrighted design was withdrawn from being an option for a new flag because it did not include the legislature-mandated "In God We Trust" slogan.

The flag consists of a single blue star on a white field, an inversion of the white star on a blue field of the Bonnie Blue flag. [45] It is encircled by 19 smaller stars representing each state in the Union when Mississippi joined, as well as symbolizing "unity and continuity" drawing inspiration from the artifacts of the indigenous peoples of the region. The central white field represents "faith and possibility", and is flanked on each side by vertical red bars, representing "the blood spilled by Mississippians, whether civilian or military, who have honorably given their lives in pursuit of liberty and justice for all". [46] In an interview, Stennis said the red bars also stand for "Mississippians' 'passionate differences' on the flag issue". [47]

Since its inception, numerous bills were brought before the legislature to have the Stennis flag declared the new state flag, but none of them passed. [48] [49] On April 17, 2019, Mississippi governor Phil Bryant signed a new specialty license plates bill. One of the new specialty plates included the Stennis flag along with the phrase "History + Hope + Hospitality". This was the first time that the Stennis flag's design received some form of state sanction by being used in an official capacity. [50] [51] [52]

A flag was created by the Mississippi Economic Council to celebrate the state's bicentennial in 2017. This flag consisted of a blue, white and red tricolor with the state seal centered on the white stripe. [53] The flag also had the words "Established 1817" and "Bicentennial 2017" written on the white stripe on either side of the seal. This flag, without the wording, has been used as an alternative state flag and has been suggested as a possible replacement for it. [54] [55] [56]

In late June 2020, former Governor Phil Bryant suggested using the bicentennial flag as a future state flag. [57] Following the retirement of the previous state flag on June 30, 2020, this banner was used in some instances as a de facto placeholder. [58] [59] [60] African American Mississippians from 2017 to 2020 frequently used the bicentennial flag along with the 2001 proposed flag. [60]

Third flag (2020–present)

On June 9, 2020, lawmakers gathered votes and started drafting legislation to change the state flag. This was the first substantial action to change the state flag since the 2001 referendum. The proposed legislation would adopt Laurin Stennis's design as the new flag of Mississippi. With the support of Republican Speaker of the House, Philip Gunn, lawmakers began to court Republican state house members to vote for the resolution.

Gunn ensured that he would get the resolution passed through a House committee if verbal support from 30 Republicans was secured to go along with the 45 Democratic members of the House. [7] An update on June 10 showed that lawmakers believed that they had secured at least 20 Republicans who were in favor of voting for the resolution to change the flag, while 20 more were on the fence. The lawmakers' goal was to secure at least 40 Republicans needed to suspend rules to allow a bill to be considered in the session. [61] On June 11, Senate Democrats filed a resolution to change the state flag. [62]

Public pressure for a new flag

On September 10, 2015, Steve Earle released the single "Mississippi It's Time" with all proceeds going towards the civil rights organization, Southern Poverty Law Center. The song was produced by Earle and recorded with his longtime backup band, the Dukes, in the summer of 2015 in the aftermath of the massacre at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in June 2015. The song advocates for removal of the Confederate flag from state grounds and tackles historical themes of slavery, racism, patriotism, and progress since the Civil War. [63]

On June 18, 2020, the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, Greg Sankey, announced the SEC would consider banning championship events in Mississippi until the flag was changed. The SEC is the athletic conference for the two largest universities in Mississippi, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. [64] The announcement by the conference was followed by support of changing the flag from Chancellor Glenn Boyce of The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and President Mark E. Keenum of Mississippi State University. [65] [66] The athletic directors of the universities, Keith Carter (Ole Miss) and John Cohen (Mississippi State), also supported changing the flag, along with various coaches from the universities. [67] [68] [69] [70]

Mural of the state flag on Reed's department store in Tupelo. Mississippi Flag Mural in Tupelo.jpg
Mural of the state flag on Reed's department store in Tupelo.

On June 19, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) banned all post-season play from occurring in Mississippi until the flag was changed. The NCAA had previously banned predetermined events such as football bowl games and men's basketball tournament games in 2001 from occurring in the state. The new rule would have also banned merit-based championship sites, such as baseball regionals, softball regionals, women's basketball tournament games and tennis tournament games. Ole Miss hosted both baseball and softball regionals in 2019. Mississippi State hosted a baseball regional, men's tennis tournament games and women's basketball tournament games in 2019. [71]

Also on June 19, the leaders of the eight public universities in Mississippi (Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi and University of Southern Mississippi) issued a joint statement calling for a new state flag. [72] On June 22, Conference USA banned all postseason play in Mississippi until the removal of the Confederate emblem from the state flag. [73] Conference USA is home to the state's third largest university, Southern Miss, and has hosted its annual baseball tournament in Mississippi for eight of the past nine years. On June 23, presidents of the fifteen community colleges in Mississippi issued a joint statement showing their support for a new flag. [74]

The Mississippi Baptist Convention condemned the former state flag on June 23, 2020. In a statement, Baptist leaders said: "The racial overtones of the flag's appearance make this discussion a moral issue. Since the principal teachings of Scripture are opposed to racism, a stand against such is a matter of biblical morality." [75] Walmart announced that it would cease displaying the state flag at its 85 Mississippi store locations on June 23, 2020. [76] The retailer normally displays the applicable state flag alongside the U.S. national flag at its locations in the U.S. [77]

Legislative action

Mississippi state flag at the Old Courthouse in Vicksburg, 2022 Mississippi state flag at the Old Courthouse, Vicksburg.jpg
Mississippi state flag at the Old Courthouse in Vicksburg, 2022

On June 24, 2020, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann announced his support for a new flag. [78] Hosemann was joined by Attorney General Lynn Fitch, State Auditor Shad White, Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. [79] On June 27, 2020, the Mississippi Legislature passed a resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 79, that suspended rules in the legislative chambers in order to debate and vote on a bill to remove and replace the state flag. The motion passed the House on an 85–34 vote and the Senate on a 36–14 vote. [80] [81] [82] [83]

At that time, there was no consensus on the method of changing the flag, whether it be retiring the current flag or immediately adopting another. [84] A proposal floated by several members of the Legislature was to create a new Mississippi flag. This flag, with a yet-to-be-determined design that did not include any Confederate images, would be used alongside the current flag. This plan was soundly rejected by Governor Tate Reeves who said it would not "satisfy either side of this debate" and compared it to the separate but equal doctrine. [85]

On June 28, 2020, the Legislature passed a bill, House Bill 1796, that would relinquish the state flag, remove the state flag from public buildings within 15 days of the bill's effective date, and constitute a nine-member commission to design a new flag that would be put to voters in a referendum to be held in November 2020. [86] [13] The bill required that the Confederate battle flag not be included on the proposed design, and the motto "In God We Trust" be included, [87] as Georgia did when it removed the Confederate emblem from its state flag in 2003. In the House, the bill was passed by 91 in favor and 23 against. [88] In the Senate, the bill was passed with 37 in favor and 14 against. [89]

Earlier that weekend, Governor Reeves had stated that he would sign any flag bill passed that weekend by the Legislature into law. [90] Subsequently, after the Legislature passed the bill, a spokesperson for the governor indicated that he would sign, [88] and Reeves did so on June 30, 2020. As the legislation repealed the sections of the Mississippi State Code which made provisions for a state flag, namely Section 3-3-16, Mississippi ceased once again to have an official state flag at this point. [15] [91]

2020 referendum

The five finalists selected by the commission on August 18, 2020 MS Flag Submissions Final 5 finalists.png
The five finalists selected by the commission on August 18, 2020

Under the terms of House Bill 1796 [92] (approved by the governor on June 30, 2020), a body known as the commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag would be constituted to suggest a design for a new state flag no later than September 14, 2020. The bill instructed the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to develop a plan for the removal of the 1894 flag from public buildings across the state and provide administrative support for the commission. [93] The act stipulated that any design proposed by the commission must include the words "In God We Trust" and must not contain the Confederate battle flag. [94] The proposed design would then be subject to a referendum to be held concurrently with the general election on November 3, 2020.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History invited the public to submit designs for a new state flag on July 13. [93] In accordance with the rules imposed by House Bill 1796, designs would only be accepted if they contained the words "In God We Trust" and not include the Confederate battle flag. The commission also added that suggestions would need to be unique and adhere to principles of the North American Vexillological Association: that the design should use only two or three basic colors, be simple enough for a child to draw, and have meaningful symbolism.

More than 2000 submissions meeting the legislative criteria were received and displayed on the Mississippi Department of Archives and History website. [95] Each of the 9 commission members picked 25 flags, narrowing the list down to 147. [96] While a modified Hospitality flag did not proceed beyond the first round, a similar-looking "Mosquito flag" briefly did, [97] apparently due to a commissioner's typographical error. [98] At an August 14 meeting, the commission announced that they had selected nine finalists. These finalists, depicting various elements including a representation of the Mississippi River, magnolias, and stars composed of diamonds significant to the Choctaw nation, had either red, white, and blue or green and white color schemes. The commission announced that they would narrow these designs down to five finalists at its next meeting on August 18. [99] [100] Five finalists were published on August 18, [101] and this was reduced to two flags on August 25. [102] [103]

The final two flags were the "Great River Flag" designed by Micah Whitson and "The New Magnolia" designed by Rocky Vaughan, Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles and Dominique Pugh. [104] [105] On September 2, the commission voted 8–1 to put the New Magnolia flag on the November ballot. Slight modifications were made to the original design, including making the text bolder and the red and gold bars thicker. The flag is officially referred to as the "In God We Trust Flag". [17] Rocky Vaughan is credited with designing the flag's overall layout, with design support provided by Sue Anna Joe, Kara Giles and Dominique Pugh (who created the magnolia illustration featured in the center). [106] Micah Whitson was also given credit for the appearance of the Native American star. [107] The flag was approved by 73% of the votes cast in a referendum on November 3, 2020. [108] The flag was passed by the Mississippi State House of Representatives on January 5, 2021, and was passed by the State Senate on January 6, 2021. It officially became the state flag after being signed by the state's Governor on January 11, 2021.

According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History,

The New Magnolia flag is anchored in the center field by a clean and modern Magnolia blossom, a symbol long-used to represent our state and the hospitality of our citizens. The New Magnolia also represents Mississippi's sense of hope and rebirth, as the Magnolia often blooms more than once and has a long blooming season. The New Magnolia is sleek and updated to represent the forward progression of Mississippi. The circle of twenty stars represents Mississippi as the twentieth state of the United States of America and is anchored by the gold five-point star, which stands alone. This star represents our first peoples, the indigenous Native American tribes of the land that would become Mississippi. The color blue in the main field of the flag echoes the blue of the American flag, representing vigilance, justice, perseverance, while the bands of red represent hardiness and valor. The gold lines and the gold stamen of the New Magnolia are a nod to the rich cultural history of Mississippi, specifically the visual arts, literature, music, and performing arts to originate in our state. [2]

After the 2020 referendum

Let Mississippi Vote is a group that is attempting another referendum on a choice of four flag designs: the Magnolia flag that was adopted in the November 2020 referendum, the flag that it replaced, the Stennis version, and the Bicentennial flag. Their stated aim is to give Mississippians a choice instead of voting on only one flag. The group reached their goal of 5000 volunteers and has sent wording for their referendum to the Mississippi Attorney General's Office for approval. They need 106,190 valid signatures from Mississippi residents for the initiative to be placed on a ballot no earlier than 2023. [109] [110]

The number of valid signatures was specified by a 1992 amendment to the Mississippi Constitution when the state had five congressional districts, and written as 12% of the total votes cast for governor in the election preceding the filing of the ballot initiative, with no more than 20% of those signatures coming from a single congressional district. However, as a result of redistricting after the 2000 U.S. census, Mississippi was reduced to four congressional districts. In an unrelated case involving a medical marijuana initiative that had been certified for the ballot and then approved by Mississippi voters in 2020, the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned the initiative and said that the ballot requirements "cannot work in a world where Mississippi has fewer than five representatives in Congress". [111] [112] Although Let Mississippi Vote continues to collect signatures, the court decision has so far not yet been addressed by the legislature, for example by further amending the Mississippi Constitution.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "It was likely a post-war flag, designed for use by one or more of Mississippi's United Confederate Veterans units. Then over time, it was mistakenly identified as 'the' Magnolia flag." [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Alabama</span>

The current flag of Alabama was adopted by Act 383 of the Alabama Legislature on February 16, 1895:

"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.)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flags of the Confederate States of America</span> National flag

The flags of the Confederate States of America have a history of three successive designs during the American Civil War. The flags were known as the "Stars and Bars", used from 1861 to 1863; the "Stainless Banner", used from 1863 to 1865; and the "Blood-Stained Banner", used in 1865 shortly before the Confederacy's dissolution. A rejected national flag design was also used as a battle flag by the Confederate Army and featured in the "Stainless Banner" and "Blood-Stained Banner" designs. Although this design was never a national flag, it is the most commonly recognized symbol of the Confederacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Georgia (U.S. state)</span> Flag of the state of Georgia, United States

The flag of Georgia is the flag of the U.S. state of Georgia. Its current iteration was adopted on February 19, 2003. The flag bears three horizontal stripes and features a blue canton containing a ring of 13 white stars that encircle the state's gold-colored coat of arms. The ring of stars that encompass the state's coat of arms represents Georgia as one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Musgrove</span> American politician

David Ronald Musgrove is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 62nd governor of Mississippi from 2000 to 2004. A Democrat, he previously served as the 29th lieutenant governor of Mississippi from 1996 to 2000. He was the Democratic nominee in the 2008 special election for one of Mississippi's seats in the United States Senate, losing to incumbent Senator Roger Wicker. Musgrove is a principal at a public affairs consulting firm, Politics. In 2014, he became founding partner of a new law firm in Jackson, Mississippi, Musgrove/Smith Law. As of 2024, he is the last Democrat to hold the office of Governor of Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flags of the U.S. states and territories</span>

The flags of the U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia exhibit a variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as different styles and design principles. Modern U.S. state flags date from the turn of the 20th century, when states considered distinctive symbols for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Florida</span> State flag of Florida

The flag of Florida consists of a red saltire on a white background, with the state seal superimposed on the center. The flag's current design has been in use since May 21, 1985, after the design of the Florida state seal was graphically improved and officially sanctioned for use by state officials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Arkansas</span> Flag of the U.S. state of Arkansas

The flag of Arkansas, also known as the Arkansas flag, consists of a red field charged with a large blue-bordered white lozenge (diamond). Twenty-nine five-pointed stars appear on the flag: twenty-five small white stars within the blue border, and four larger blue stars in the white diamond. The inscription "ARKANSAS" appears in blue within the white lozenge, with one star above and three stars below. The star above and the two outer stars below point upwards; the inner star below points downwards. The flag was designed by Willie K. Hocker of Wabbaseka, a member of the Pine Bluff Chapter of the Arkansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Maine</span> Official flag of the U.S. state of Maine

The flag of the state of Maine features Maine's state coat of arms on a blue field. In the center of the shield, a moose rests under a tall pine tree. A farmer and seaman represent the traditional reliance on agriculture and the sea by the state. The North Star represents the state motto: dirigo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flag of Utah</span> State flag

The Beehive Flag is the official flag of the U.S. State of Utah. It is a horizontal tricolor with irregular bands of blue, white, and red. The middle white band contains a blue hexagon outlined in gold. Within the hexagon lies a gold-colored beehive, and below it sits a five-pointed white star.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Waller</span> American politician

William Lowe Waller Sr. was an American politician and attorney. A Democrat, Waller served as the 56th governor of Mississippi from 1972 to 1976. Born near Oxford, Mississippi to a farming family, Waller went to law school and in 1950 established a law practice in Jackson. Nine years later, he was elected District Attorney of Hinds County, Mississippi. Waller attempted to reform the position and provoked the ire of local law enforcement for aggressively prosecuting several cases. In 1964, he twice prosecuted Byron De La Beckwith for the murder of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, with both trials resulting in deadlocked juries. In 1967, he launched an unsuccessful campaign for governor, finishing fifth in the Democratic primary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William F. Winter</span> American attorney and politician

William Forrest Winter was an American attorney and politician who served as 58th governor of Mississippi from 1980 to 1984. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served as the lieutenant governor, state treasurer, state tax collector, and in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John J. Pettus</span> 23rd governor of Mississippi

John Jones Pettus was an American politician, lawyer, and slave owner who served as the 23rd Governor of Mississippi, from 1859 to 1863. Before being elected in his own right to full gubernatorial terms in 1859 and 1861, he served as acting governor from January 5 to 10, 1854, following the resignation of Henry S. Foote. A member of the Democratic Party, Pettus had previously been a Mississippi state representative, a member and president of the Mississippi State Senate. He strongly supported Mississippi's secession from the United States in 1861 and sought cooperation with the Confederate States of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas in the American Civil War</span>

Texas declared its secession from the Union on February 1, 1861, and joined the Confederate States on March 2, 1861, after it had replaced its governor, Sam Houston, who had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. As with those of other states, the Declaration of Secession was not recognized by the US government at Washington, DC. Some Texan military units fought in the Civil War east of the Mississippi River, but Texas was more useful for supplying soldiers and horses for the Confederate Army. Texas' supply role lasted until mid-1863, when Union gunboats started to control the Mississippi River, which prevented large transfers of men, horses, or cattle. Some cotton was sold in Mexico, but most of the crop became useless because of the Union's naval blockade of Galveston, Houston, and other ports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delbert Hosemann</span> 33rd Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi

Charles Delbert Hosemann Jr. is an American politician serving as the 33rd lieutenant governor of Mississippi, since January 2020. From 2008 to 2020, he served as the secretary of state of Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Mississippi</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the U.S. state of Mississippi face legal challenges and discrimination not experienced by non-LGBT residents. LGBT rights in Mississippi are limited in comparison to other states. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Mississippi as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Lawrence v. Texas. Same-sex marriage has been recognized since June 2015 in accordance with the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. State statutes do not address discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity; however, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County established that employment discrimination against LGBT people is illegal under federal law. The state capital Jackson and a number of other cities provide protections in housing and public accommodations as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern display of the Confederate battle flag</span>

Although the Confederate States of America dissolved at the end of the American Civil War (1861–1865), its battle flag continues to be displayed as a symbol. The modern display began during the 1948 United States presidential election when it was used by the Dixiecrats, a political party that opposed civil rights for African Americans. Further display of the flag was a response to the civil rights movement and the passage of federal civil rights laws in the 1950s and 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 Mississippi flag referendum</span> Referendum for Mississippi to adopt a new flag design

The 2001 Mississippi flag referendum was a legislatively referred state statute appearing on an April 17, 2001 special election ballot, an election held specifically for this referendum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Mississippi flag referendum</span> Referendum to change the flag of Mississippi

The 2020 Mississippi flag referendum was a legislatively referred state statute appearing on the November 3, 2020 general election ballot in Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Mississippi elections</span> Elections held in Mississippi in 2020

Mississippi state elections in 2020 were held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Its primaries were held on March 10, 2020, with runoffs taking place on June 23.

Kathy L. Chism is an American politician, serving in the Mississippi State Senate from the 3rd district since 2020.

References

  1. ↑ "State Flag Commission Picks New Magnolia Flag for November Ballot". Mississippi Department of Archives & History. September 3, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag Top Two Finalists". Mississippi Department of Archives & History. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Journal of the State Convention, and Ordinances and Resolutions Adopted in January, 1861. Published by Order of the Convention. Jackson, Mississippi: E. Barksdale, State Printer. 1861. pp.  89–90. LCCN   16025853. OCLC   1047488108. OL   24350027M – via Internet Archive.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. 1 2 3 Clay, Moss (June 21, 2015). "Mississippi's Magnolia Flags (U.S.)". Flags of the World. Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "State Flags". State of Mississippi. Archived from the original on April 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  6. ↑ Berman, Mike; Guarino, Ben (July 1, 2020). "Mississippi governor signs bill changing state's flag, abandoning Confederate symbol". The Washington Post . Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Ganucheau, Adam (June 9, 2020). "Bipartisan group of lawmakers, with Speaker Gunn's blessing, pushes to change Mississippi state flag". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  8. ↑ Jones, Kay; Froio, James (June 27, 2020). "Mississippi House starts process to change state's flag". CNN.
  9. ↑ "Mississippi takes a step toward removing Confederate image from flag". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  10. ↑ Tate Reeves [@tatereeves] (June 27, 2020). "The legislature has been deadlocked for days as it considers a new state flag. The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it's time to end it. If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ LeBlanc, Paul (June 28, 2020). "Mississippi state legislature passes bill to remove Confederate symbol from state flag in historic vote". CNN. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  12. ↑ Pettus, Emily (June 28, 2020). "Look away, Dixie: Mississippi to lose rebel emblem from flag". ABC News. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  13. 1 2 Budryk, Zack (June 28, 2020). "Mississippi House passes bill to take Confederate symbol off state flag". TheHill. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  14. ↑ "HB1796" (PDF). billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  15. 1 2 "BREAKING: Governor to retire Mississippi's Confederate-themed flag". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 17, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  16. ↑ Pettus, Emily Wagster (June 30, 2020). "Governor to retire Mississippi's Confederate-themed flag". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Ulmer, Sarah (September 2, 2020). "Commission selects New Magnolia Flag for voters to consider in November". Y'all Politics. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Explained: Why the US state of Mississippi got a new flag". The Indian Express. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ Cannon, Devereaux D. Jr. (2005) [1988]. "Chapter 7: State Flags". The Flags of the Confederacy: An Illustrated History. Cover design by Larry Pardue. Gretna: Pelican Publishing Company. pp. 34–48. ISBN   978-1-565-54109-2. OCLC   970744690.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Sansing, David G. (August 2000). "Flags Over Mississippi". Mississippi Department of Archives and History . Mississippi Historical Society. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  21. ↑ Winik, Jau (February 11, 2001). "A New Flag for a New Mississippi". Week in Review. The New York Times. p. 17.
  22. ↑ "The Lone Star/Bonnie Blue Flag", Washington Artillery
  23. ↑ Journal of the State Convention and Ordinances and Resolutions Adopted in March, 1861. Published by Order of the Convention. Jackson: E. Barksdale, State Printer. 1861. pp.  43, 47, 86. OCLC   758987648 – via Internet Archive.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  24. ↑ "Mississippi State Flag - About the Mississippi Flag, its adoption and history". netstate.com.
  25. ↑ Journal of the Proceedings and Debates in the Constitutional Convention of the State of Mississippi, August 1865. Jackson, Mississippi: E. M. Yerger, State Printer. 1865. pp.  34–36, 174, 221–225. LCCN   10012152. OCLC   48174008. OL   7019017M – via Internet Archive.
  26. 1 2 State of Mississippi (February 7, 2001). "Miss. Code Ann. § 3-3-16: Design of state flag". Mississippi Code of 1972. LexisNexis. HISTORY: SOURCES: Laws, 2001, ch. 301, § 2, eff from and after February 7, 2001 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objection under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to the addition of this section.)
  27. 1 2 "The Mississippi State Flag". NetState. February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  28. ↑ Mississippi; Albert Hall Whitfield; Thomas Clendenin Catchings; W. H. Hardy (1906). The Mississippi code of 1906 of the public statute laws of the state of Mississippi, prepared and annotated by A. H. Whitfield, T. C. Catchings and W. H. Hardy: Under the provisions of an act of the Legislature approved March 19, 1904, and reported to and revised. Brandon printing company. p. 141.
  29. 1 2 "Mississippi Votes to Keep Controversial Flag". ABC News. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  30. ↑ Mississippi Division of the United Sons of Confederate Veterans v. Mississippi State Conference of NAACP Branches, 774 So.2d 388 (Miss. 2000)
  31. 1 2 Dedman IV, James M. (Fall 2001). "At Daggers Drawn: The Confederate Flag and the School Classroom – A Case Study of a Broken First Amendment Formula". Baylor Law Review. 53: 877, 883.
  32. ↑ "Mississippi › Initiative & Referendum Institute". IAndRInstitute.org. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Mississippi Flag Referendum (April 2001)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Election Results" (PDF). www.SoS.State.MS.us. Office of the Mississippi Secretary of State. April 27, 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 26, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  35. ↑ Stennis, Laurin. "Radiolab: The Flag and the Fury" . Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  36. ↑ "2001 State/Provincial Flag Survey" (PDF). North American Vexillological Association.
  37. 1 2 3 Grinberg, Emanuella (June 19, 2016). "Battle over Confederate symbols continues with Mississippi state flag". CNN. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Pettus, Emily Wagster (April 27, 2017). "Biloxi won't fly state flag". Clarion-Ledger. Associated Press. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  39. ↑ Gillon, Vanessa (August 29, 2016). "State flag quietly removed from campus". The Reflector. Retrieved November 27, 2017.
  40. ↑ Victor, Daniel (October 26, 2015). "University of Mississippi Lowers State Flag With Confederate Symbol". The New York Times .
  41. ↑ Barron, James (April 29, 2019). "New Jersey Governor Refuses to Fly 'Reprehensible' Mississippi Flag". The New York Times .
  42. ↑ Pettus, Emily Wagster (March 16, 2017). "Mississippi Confederate Flag Fight Moves to New Battlefield". U.S. News & World Report . Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  43. ↑ Domonoske, Camila (April 3, 2017). "Court Rejects Lawsuit Against Mississippi State Flag's Confederate Symbolism". Associated Press. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  44. ↑ "Search – Supreme Court of the United States". SupremeCourt.gov. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
  45. ↑ "What is the Stennis flag? Why a famous MS senator's granddaughter made her own". Sun Herald. January 22, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Stennis Flag". DeclareMississippi.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  47. ↑ Watkins, Billy (February 20, 2016). "Watkins: Stennis granddaughter offers new flag option". The Clarion Ledger . Retrieved June 22, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Stennis Flag News". DeclareMississippi.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  49. ↑ Rogers, Joe (January 15, 2018). "This should be Mississippi's state flag. And with enough support, it could be". Magnolia State Live. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  50. ↑ Lee, China (April 17, 2019). "Mississippi residents can display state flag minus Confederate battle emblem with new specialty license plate". WMC-TV . Jackson, Mississippi . Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  51. ↑ "Mississippi drivers can put flag minus rebel X on license". Washington Post . April 26, 2019.[ dead link ]
  52. ↑ Bowden, John (April 26, 2019). "Mississippi governor signs bill permitting license plates with alternative flag without Confederate symbol". The Hill. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019.
  53. ↑ "Mississippi Bicentennial flag (U.S.)". CRWFlags.com. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Mississippi's bicentennial banner gaining attention". wlbt.com. November 5, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Historical Flags of Our Ancestors – State of Mississippi – USA". Loeser.us. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  56. ↑ "MEC unfurls bicentennial banner. Could a new state flag be next?". Mississippi Today. October 26, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  57. ↑ Phil Bryant [@PhilBryantMS] (June 25, 2020). "I was proud as Governor to add 'In God We Trust' to the State Seal with @tatereeves and @PhilipGunnMS. It will make a great Mississippi State Flag" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  58. ↑ McGrady, Clyde; Sword, Doug (June 30, 2020). "Mississippi flag bearing Confederate emblem is removed from Senate building". Roll Call. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  59. ↑ "Retired Mississippi flag removed on Capitol Hill". MSNBC . July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  60. 1 2 Haley Talbot [@haleytalbotnbc] (June 30, 2020). "Senator Wicker oversaw the removal of the Mississippi state flag from the Capitol subway moments ago. It was replaced by a flag with the state seal on it" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  61. ↑ Harrison, Bobby; Pender, Geoff (June 10, 2020). "About 40 Republican House votes are needed to change the state flag. Lawmakers say they're halfway there". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  62. ↑ Harrison, Bobby; Pender, Geoff (June 11, 2020). "Senate Democrats file resolution to change state flag after earlier action by House members". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  63. ↑ Leahey, Andrew (September 10, 2015). "Hear Steve Earle Denounce Confederate Flag in 'Mississippi, It's Time'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  64. ↑ Ganucheau, Adam (June 18, 2020). "SEC commissioner to lawmakers: Lose Confederate emblem from state flag, or lose championship events". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  65. ↑ Ole Miss Athletics [@OleMissSports] (June 19, 2020). "A message from Chancellor Glenn Boyce and Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  66. ↑ Keenum, Mark (June 18, 2020). "Statement from MSU President Mark E. Keenum". Mississippi State University . Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  67. ↑ Cohen [@JohnCohenAD] (June 18, 2020). "We are disappointed that our student-athletes and coaches will potentially be affected by something outside their control. At the same time, we understand and support Commissioner Greg Sankey's stance on the flag of the State of Mississippi. Mississippi State University is proud to be among the most diverse universities in the SEC. Alongside our university leadership, we aim to continue our support for changing the state flag, which should unite us, not divide us" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  68. ↑ Lemonis, Chris [@lemo22] (June 18, 2020). "#Hailstate Image" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ↑ McPhee-McCuin, Yolett [@YolettMcCuin] (June 19, 2020). "I am in total agreement with our leaders and I hope we can continue to move in a direction that is inclusive for all! I am glad that we do not fly that flag on our campus and I thank both Keith and Chancellor Boyce for taking a stand on this!❤️💙" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  70. ↑ David, Kermit [@RebelCoachDavis] (June 19, 2020). "This flag has not been flown on our campus in years! Proud of our Administration for taking a stand!! It's what's right and best for state to grow in all areas!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  71. ↑ Bromberg, Nick (June 19, 2020). "Mississippi schools can't host any NCAA championship events after NCAA broadens Confederate flag policy". Yahoo Sports . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  72. ↑ "Miss. public university presidents respond to NCAA decision regarding state flag". WLOX . June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  73. ↑ Suss, Nick (June 22, 2020). "Conference USA joins NCAA, SEC in banning postseason events in Mississippi until flag is changed". The Clarion Ledger . Retrieved June 22, 2020. The Conference USA is taking a cue from the NCAA and SEC by prohibiting all postseason play from taking place in Mississippi until the Confederate emblem is removed from Mississippi's flag.
  74. ↑ "Mississippi Association of Community Colleges supports changing state flag". WTOK-TV . June 23, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  75. ↑ Pender, Geoff (June 23, 2020). "'It's a moral issue:' Mississippi Baptist Convention calls for new state flag". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  76. ↑ Gibson, Kate (June 23, 2020). "Walmart rids Mississippi stores of state flag bearing Confederate emblem". CBS News. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  77. ↑ Duffy, Clare (June 23, 2020). "Walmart stops displaying the Mississippi state flag in stores because of Confederate flag imagery". CNN. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  78. ↑ @GanucheauAdam (June 24, 2020). "Breaking: Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann seems to open the door to legislative action on the Mississippi state flag without a popular vote. Big development" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  79. ↑ Skinner, Kayleigh; Pender, Geoff; Harrison, Bobby (June 24, 2020). "As leaders continue to count votes to change state flag, Hosemann throws support behind legislative action". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  80. ↑ Shammas, Brittany (June 27, 2020). "Mississippi lawmakers pave way for legislation to remove Confederate symbol from state flag". Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  81. ↑ "Miss. House approves to suspend rules; would allow vote to change state flag if passed". KNOE.com. June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  82. ↑ "HC 79 (As Adopted by House and Senate) – 2020 Regular Session". State Legislature of Mississippi. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  83. ↑ Jones, Kay; Froio, James; Mena, Kelly (June 27, 2020). "Mississippi legislature starts process to change state's flag". CNN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  84. ↑ Pender, Geoff; Harrison, Bobby (June 26, 2020). "Lawmakers plan to begin voting Saturday to change Mississippi state flag". Mississippi Today . Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  85. ↑ Wagster Pettus, Emily (June 23, 2020). "Mississippi gov rejects 'separate but equal' 2-flag plan". Associated Press. Retrieved June 23, 2020. Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves said Monday that he's against having two state flags – the current banner with the Confederate battle emblem that critics see as racist, and a yet-to-be-determined design that would erase Confederate images.
  86. ↑ Shammas, Brittany (June 28, 2020). "Mississippi House and Senate vote to remove Confederate icon from state flag". Washington Post.
  87. ↑ "HB1796 (As Sent to Governor) – 2020 Regular Session". BillStatus.LS.State.MS.us. State Legislature of Mississippi. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  88. 1 2 Ramseth, Giacomo Bologna and Luke. "Changing the state flag: How Mississippi legislators made history in 4 hours on a rare Sunday session". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  89. ↑ "MS Senate Floor". YouTube. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  90. ↑ "Mississippi Governor Grudgingly Says He'll Sign a Bill to Change the State's Confederate Flag". The Root. June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  91. ↑ Pettus, Emily Wagster (June 30, 2020). "Governor to retire Mississippi's Confederate-themed flag". Houston Chronicle. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  92. ↑ "2020 Regular Session, House Bill 1796". Mississippi Legislature .
  93. 1 2 "State Commission Seeks Flag Design Submissions". Mississippi Department of Archives & History. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  94. ↑ Pender, Geoff (September 2, 2020). "'In God We Trust' flag will go before Mississippi voters in November". Mississippi Today.
  95. ↑ "View Submissions for the New Mississippi State Flag". Mississippi Department of Archives & History. March 19, 2024.
  96. ↑ Carlisle, Zac (August 10, 2020). "Commission narrows down 147 designs for Mississippi's new state flag". WTVA . Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  97. ↑ Carter, Josh (August 10, 2020). "Hospitality Flag no longer in the running to become Mississippi's next flag... but the Mosquito Flag is". WDAM.
  98. ↑ Carter, Josh (August 11, 2020). "Flag Commission: Mosquito Flag chosen by mistake, now removed from consideration". WLOX.
  99. ↑ Carlisle, Zac (August 14, 2020). "Magnolias, Mississippi River among elements discussed by flag commission". WTVA . Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  100. ↑ Pettus, Emily Wagster (August 14, 2020). "Mississippi flag could have Choctaw-inspired diamond shape". Associated Press.
  101. ↑ "One of these five designs could become the new Mississippi state flag". Mississippi Today. August 18, 2020.
  102. ↑ Farish, Anna (August 25, 2020). "Mississippi flag commission selects final two flag designs". WREG.com. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  103. ↑ Carlisle, Zac (August 25, 2020). "Two finalists announced for Mississippi state flag". WTVA . Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  104. ↑ Corder, Frank (August 13, 2020). "Could the Great River Flag be the odds on favorite for new Mississippi flag?".
  105. ↑ "Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag Top Two Finalists". Mississippi Department of Archives & History. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  106. ↑ "Mississippi Has Chosen Its New Flag Design. Does It Match Your Pick?". PRINT Magazine. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  107. ↑ "Mississippi flag: Magnolia could replace old rebel symbol". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  108. ↑ "Mississippi votes in favor of adopting new flag". CBS News. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  109. ↑ "'Let Mississippi Vote' campaign for state flag ballot referendum". WXXV. September 2, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  110. ↑ Vance, Taylor (October 11, 2020). "'Mississippi's image is on the ballot' with state flag design referendum". Daily Journal. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  111. ↑ "In the Supreme Court of Mississippi - No. 2020-IA-01199-SCT - In Re Initiative Measure No. 65: Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler, in Her Individual and Official Capacities and the City of Madison v. Michael Watson, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State for the State of Mississippi" (PDF). Supreme Court of Mississippi. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  112. ↑ Guzman, Francisco (May 14, 2021). "Medical marijuana no longer coming to Mississippi: What you need to know". Mississippi Clarion Ledger. Retrieved January 23, 2022.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.