America first added Mississippi into the Union as its 20th state in 1817. The first flag flown by the new state was referred to as the Bonnie Blue Flag which had a basic design. It had a blue background and one white star in the middle. The flag was beautiful even though the design was simple and was used for many decades until 1861. Later on, the Mississippi flag would undergo big changes.
In 1861, Mississippi decided to sever its ties with the Union and become an independent state. The Mississippi Secession Convention also intended to show a new flag in lieu of its separation. The Magnolia Flag featuring a magnolia tree, substituted the old Bonnie Blue Flag. The design of the Bonnie Blue Flag, however, remained on the upper corner of the new flag. The magnolia tree is one of the main features of the state. The flag was used widely by troops during the Civil War.
In 1894, Mississippi raised its second flag which is one of the most controversial in America’s history. The new flag was known as the Confederate Battle Flag or Rebel Flag of the South. It had a union square, featuring 13 white stars, a red canton and blue cross on one upper portion. The 13 stars has been misinterpreted many times as some say that these stand for the states the seceded while others say that it represents the 13 colonies. The fact is, the stars actually stood for the 13 colonies. Today, the flag is still seen in several places across the state and globe.