Florida Republic Flag 3×5 ft Standard

1st Official Flag of Florida (1861)

Indoor, parade or decorative use. Very moderate outdoor flying.

After Florida seceded from the Union in January 1861, a number of unofficial flags flew over the state. The general assembly passed an act directing Governor Madison S. Perry to adopt “an appropriate device for a State flag which shall be distinctive in character.” Six months later the Governor had the Secretary of State record the description of Florida’s first official flag. It is unknown if it was ever raised over the Capitol or in the field. The story goes that the flag shown here is reconstructed from a written description.

The Florida state flag adopted on 13 September 1861 draws its inspiration from the Confederate flag of 4 March 1861, and, therefore, is very similar to the Georgia flag prior to 1956.

The flag of Florida after declaring secession from the United States in 1861-1865