Flag of South Carolina

The flag of South Carolina was adopted officialy on January 28, 1861, but a form has existed since 1775. The first incarnation was created by Colonel William Moultrie as a result of a request by the Revolutionary Council of Safety to use in the American Revolutionary War. While occupying Fort Johnson, Moultrie designed the flag with the blue of the militia's uniforms and a crescent to represent the 1st and 2nd regiments stationed there and wore silver crescents on their caps.

The palmetto was added in 1861 as a reference to Moultrie's defense of Fort Johnson in which he held the fort against a British fleet that had not lost a battle in a century. It is said that the palmettos laid over the sand walls were able to withstand the British cannons.

Following South Carolina's secession from the Union in 1861, the independent state adopted the flag after considering several others. Originally the palmetto on the flag was gold, but was changed to the standard white of today after two days flying the golden palmetto flag.