Exam History of the State Flag of South Carolina – Piedmont

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The Piedmont Historical Preservation Society will host a presentation on the history of the controversial state flag of South Carolina at 11 am on Tuesday, May 23 at the Piedmont Community Building.
Dr. Eric Emerson, director of the South Carolina Historic Preservation Office, will present information. Dr. Emerson oversees the State Archives in Columbia and has served on the official flag design committee.
“We are excited that he will be with us to discuss his research on how our state flag has evolved over the last nearly 250 years and share the controversy that selecting an official design has engendered,” said Phd. Anne Peden of the Piedmont Historical Preservation Society. “State legislation has stalled this year to designate an official banner for our state. Come to the presentation to hear what Dr. Emerson has to say about our state standard, learn how it has evolved over the ages, and vote for your choice.”
South Carolina’s standard is one of the most recognizable flags in the nation with the iconic Palmetto tree and white crescent moon. Or is it a moon? What else could it be if not a moon? It’s shining over our beloved Palmetto tree, isn’t it? The tree that helped us fight off the British fleet that attacked Fort Sullivan on June 28, 1776. Col. Moultrie designed the very first flag prior to that battle and the word LIBERTY was prominent, not the tree.
So, how did the flag get the Palmetto tree front and center? That story is surely one of the best in South Carolina’s history and most of us know it by heart since the spongy tree cast the cannon balls to the ground and the patriots stood their ground winning the battle. But what about that crescent? Is it really the moon casting glimmering light over a Low Country beach bordered with palmetto palms? What a lovely scene to represent! It should be so then, shouldn’t it? And what about the Palmetto tree? Isn’t it lovely?
But did you realize that there has been no official flag design for all those years? That’s right, if you want to make your own design, go right ahead. For a while anyway. At least until the State Legislature steps up and selects their favorite.
The tree and the crescent have been drawn many ways over the life of South Carolina, and when a movement was introduced in the legislature a couple of years ago to choose an official banner, the choices of the beloved tree looked strange to many South Carolinians. An uproar sounded across the land from the mountains to the sea, and the vote never materialized. Brought back to the legislative session again this year, it has stalled.
Maybe no one has the courage to tackle such a topic that every faithful citizen holds dear. Maybe the flag we know best (the one we are accustomed to during our own lifetime) is the one we accept as the best no matter what the historical record tells us. Maybe we are “sot” in our ways of thinking? Oh, no! That couldn’t be. Not us South Carolinians.
“Come hear what flag historian, Dr. Emerson, has to say. We hope to see you there.” said Peden.
For additional information contact Anne Peden, Phd. by email at acpeden07@gmail.com.