The current flag of Georgia was adopted on 8th of May in 2003. It shows three horizontal stripes in red, white and red, and in the upper corner a blue rectangle with a detail of the state seal surrounded by a circle of thirteen white stars and underneath the saying: "In god we trust". The state seal shows a kind of temple symbolising the state of Georgia and its constitution. The three pillars stand for the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government, with the principles of the constitution: wisdom, justice and moderation on banners. A soldier with a drawn sword stands for the defence of the constitution. In contrast to the flag, the seal below the temple shows the year 1776, the year in which the declaration of independence was signed. The thirteen stars indicate that Georgia was one of the thirteen original colonies from which the USA emerged. Georgia did not have its own flag until it left the USA and joined the Confederate States of America (CSA). On the occasion of joining the CSA, flags in blue and red were introduced for the country's troops, which featured the symbolism of the state seal in their centre. These flags were not official state symbols. The first official state flag was adopted on 17th of October in 1879. It featured three horizontal stripes in red, white and red and a vertical blue stripe on the mast. Its design was reminiscent of the "Stars and Bars" flag, the first flag of the CSA, but without any additions (e.g. stars). On 17th of December in 1902, the blue stripe on the mast was supplemented by the symbol of the state seal. On 1st of October in 1905, the symbol of the state seal was placed on a lavishly designed silver shield with a golden border. The year 1799, the year in which the seal was last established, was added below the shield. A red banner with the name of the state appeared below the shield. From 21st of August in 1916, the entire seal was depicted in the blue stripe, and from 1st of July in 1956, the three horizontal stripes were replaced by the CSA battle flag. For reasons of historical revisionism and political correctness, a completely new flag was introduced on 31st of January in 2001. It was single-coloured blue and showed the seal of the state in gold surrounded by a circle of thirteen white stars. Important flags from the country's history were shown in an underneath placed banner: the USA flag with thirteen stars in the upper corner (1777–1795), Georgia's first flag (1861), the flag from 1916–1956, the flag from 1956–2001 and the current flag of the USA. Below the ribbon the slogan: "In god we trust". This attempt to establish a non-existent identity via the flag was not well received by the population because this flag did not sufficiently represent the country's affiliation to the Confederate States of America (CSA) and, on top of that, it featured a design similar to that used by many northern states of the Union. Thus, after much discussion, the current flag was introduced on 8th of May in 2003, which is almost identical to the "Stars and Bars" flag, the first flag of the CSA. As there were again discussions, the new flag was confirmed in a referendum with 73.1 %.
1861–1865 · Civil War: the north of the country becomes in 1864 plundered and devastated by murdering and pillaging troops of the U.S. General Sherman
9th of April in 1865 · General Lee surrenders at Appomattox (Virginia) as commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, the other CSA Armies capitulate gradually until July 1865
1865–1877 · "reconstruction", forced return of the CSA states in the USA
15th of July 1870 · reentry of Georgia into the United States
