Founded in 1732, one of the original 13 colonies. It was the 4th state to ratify the Constitution in 1778.
Year Flag Adopted: 2001 (current version)
The current Georgia State flag is comprised of thee equal horizontal bands of red, white and red, with a blue canton on the hoist above the lower red band. Within the blue canton is the state emblem and the motto "In God We Trust" beneath in yellow/gold, all surrounded by 13 five-pointed white stars, symbolizing Georgia's place as one of the thirteen original United States. Note: an early Georgia State flag was the Stars & Bars (1861), followed by several Flags of the Confederacy, the flag of 1879-1956 after the War Between the States, (with variations in both 1902 and 1920), and another version incorporating the Confederate Battle flag which flew from 1956-2001. The current version was approved by state-wide referendum in 2001.
The state flag emblem, derived from the coat of arms, contains the following inscriptions and elements, all in gold: above the three columns "Constitution", the state motto on left to right scrolls reading "Wisdom", "Justice" and "Moderation", a male figure with drawn sword in early American / colonial garb, all above the inscription "In God We Trust" and all encircled by 13 white stars.