To diverge for a moment because this point in flag history is important, the flag commonly known as the “Confederate Flag” is, in fact, no such thing. Rather, these designs are derived from the battle flags of up to three different armies that fought for the Confederacy. The flag seen today most closely resembles the Second Confederate Navy Jack.
The official flags of the Confederate States of America, the first of which are the true “stars and bars” design, a designation mistakenly applied to the battle flag designs of today, looked nothing like the battle flags.
Later designs would include the battle flag in the upper hoist side of the flag, similar in size and shape to the blue field on the current United State flag, with a white field.
Later designs included a red stripe on the far side of the flag.
That said, the flag of the Confederate States of America was NEVER a full field representation of the battle or naval flag designs despite this being a very common misconception today, even among those who should know better. Regardless, the battle flag designs remain a powerful and powerfully divisive symbol regardless of the their origin. It was because of this symbolism, and the rationale for the change to the flag in 1956, that the flag was changed. The flag revision in 1956 was in direct and stated reaction to the growing Civil Rights movement and the support it found within the national government. The historical accuracy was flawed but the intent was clear.
In light of this, the flag was first changed in 2001
until a statewide referendum on the final design of the new state flag was held in 2003 which resulted in the current design.
What I personally find ironic, considering that the flag change was forced due to perceived connections to the long dead Confederate States of America, is the clear fact that the current Georgia state flag is an EXACT replica of the First National Flag of the Confederate States of America, in the 13 star configuration representing the 13 slave holding states, which flew from December 10, 1861 to May 1, 1863 with the sole change being the addition of the Coat of Arms of the State of Georgia. It is also said today that the 13 stars represent the 13 original colonies of which Georgia was one rather than being a Confederate symbol. I would suggest that this change in association is convenient at the least. The connection between the Confederate flag and the current Georgia state flag is apparently not a secret and yet I doubt that the majority of Georgians themselves are aware of the connection, especially not the African American segment of the population who so vehemently opposed the 1956 version of the state flag.