Tampa Bay Sesquicentennial Commission

Flag Replacement Ceremony

Friday, June 14, 2013

FLAG DAY- JUNE 14 – OBSERVED WITH HISTORICAL FLAG REPLACEMENT

Tampa – In observance of Flag Day, a ceremony replacing national flags occurred in downtown Tampa on Friday, June 14^th at noon at Chillura Park.

Amid modern skyscrapers, bustling streets, and the excitement of the monthly “Eat at Joe’s” food truck event, a colorful ceremony with military and civilian re-enactors relived the moment when a new Confederate national flag made her appearance in Tampa 150 years ago.

Some of the participants with spectator preparing for the ceremony

1^st National Flag

2^nd National Flag

The new 2nd National Flag of the Confederate States of America was purposefully distinctive, so as not to be confused with the USA flag, the enemy of the Confederacy during the War. Original Southern sentiment was to have a flag with a similar pattern to the Old Union established and maintained with Southern blood shed during two wars. But friendly fire incidents, coupled with resentments over the mounting Southern casualties caused the Confederate Congress to change the design only 13 months after the first design was adopted.

This 2nd National flag, too, would eventually be replaced – due to a flaw in its design – the white background could be too easily confused with the flag of truce.

History buffs will appreciate one of the nicknames of the 2nd National Flag - the “Jackson Flag” - due to its first official use - draping Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s coffin as he lay in State in the Confederate Capital on 12 May, 1863.

Although the exact location or date of the actual ceremony is not known, the Confederate Congress adopted the design of the new 2^nd National flag on May 1, 1863, and the Flag Bill (Senate Bill No. 132) was signed into law the same day by CSA President Jefferson Davis. After official news was received, and flags provisioned, Fort Brooke would fly its new national banner.

Public Reaction

The event was designed to inform the public about the history of Tampa during the years of Florida's participation in the Confederate States of America. The public learned about two of the historical flags of the Confederate States of America.

Participants interacted with the public by responding to numerous photograph requests, and distributing free copies of the Walking Tour.