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In 1956 Senator Willis Neal Hardin and Senator Jefferson Lee Davis introduced the bill that would change the flag of the state of Georgia that was adopted in 1879 and flew for 77 years. These gentlemen were interested in changing the flag because of a life long dream of Judge John Sammons Bell. He wanted to go to the new design because the old Confederate design had become "meaningless" in the words of Bell. He wanted to forever perpetuate the memory of the Confederate soldier who fought and died for his state. He wanted "to honor our ancestors who fought and died and who have been so much maligned." A few people of ill will have stated that the flag was changed to protest integration. Judge Bell stated, "nothing could be further from the truth...every bit of it is untrue. Anyone who says anything to the contrary is wrong or perpetuating a willful lie."

The Georgia flag was styled after the First National Confederate (Stars & Bars) from 1879-1956. As you can see in this picture the two flags were very similar. During the 1879 session of the Georgia General Assembly an act came up to establish the flag of the state of Georgia. Introduced by Col. Herman Perry, a lawyer and former Colonel in the Confederate States Army. Col. Perry's purpose was to remember the Confederate States of America, the fallen nation of which Georgia had been a part.

By changing the state flag to it's new design, Judge John Sammons Bell did what Col. Perry had done almost a century before. He insured that all citizens of Georgia, and visitors to this state, would never forget the sacrifice that others who came before them made. That during a certain period of time, a people determined that they could no longer be free to pursue life and liberty under the present government. So a new nation was formed, the Confederate States of America.

So now you know the true story behind the creation of the Georgia Flag.