The flag of Alabama was introduced on 16th of February in 1895. It shows a white bunting with a red diagonal cross (St. Andrew's cross).
The design of the flag is probably reminiscent of the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia of the Confederate States (CSA), as it was created under the administration of Governor William Oates. Oates was a former regimental commander of the Army of Northern Virginia. Alabama's first flag was raised on the occasion of independence from the USA on 11th of January in 1861. It was the result of a private initiative and only flew for a few weeks. It was plain blue and showed the allegorical figure of freedom with a sword in its hand in the centre, above which was the motto: "Independent now and forever". During the Civil War, a single-coloured blue flag with a gold star in the middle was allegedly used.
1861–1865 · civil war: the north of Alabama will be invaded by troops of the United States to 1864
9th of April in 1865 · General Lee surrenders at Appomattox (Virginia) as commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, the other CSA Armies capitulate gradually until July 1865
1865–1877 · "Reconstruction", forced return of the CSA states in the USA
The name "Alabama" has its roots in the language of the once in south of the country living Muskogee Indians and means "settlement of the tribe". It goes back to the saying "alibamo" which means translated "we stay here".
