In January 2001 then-Governor Ronnie Musgrove appointed an independent commission which developed a new proposed design. On April 17, 2001, a non-binding state referendum to change the flag was put before Mississippi voters. The proposal would have replaced the Confederate battle flag with a blue canton with 20 stars. The outer ring of 13 stars would represent the original Thirteen Colonies, the 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), and the inner and slightly larger star would represent Mississippi itself. The 20 stars would also represent Mississippi’s status as the 20th member of the United States. The referendum for a new flag was defeated in a vote of 64% to 36% and the 1894 flag was retained.
Several municipalities and schools in Mississippi, including the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the city of Biloxi, are now refusing to fly the state flag until the Confederate emblem is removed. Over 20 flag-related bills, some calling for another statewide referendum, were introduced in the state legislature, but none were adopted.
State Nickname:
The official nickname for Mississippi is The Magnolia State. The magnolia tree and its showy flowers are widespread in Mississippi.
The magnolia is also the state flower and the state tree of Mississippi. Both the state nickname and flower are featured on the Mississippi quarter.
Next Up:
In our next installment, we return to the Midwest when we visit the 21st state, Illinois.