Florida's Historic Flags

The history of the Florida flag can be traced back to when the first Native Americans (Miccosukee Tribe Flag) who inhabit the peninsula as early as 14,000 years ago. Florida's documented history begins with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, Ponce de Leon the Spanish explorers in 1513 and would create the Spanish colonies in the Americas for the next three centuries and continuing there expansion under the crown of Castle (Royal Standard of Spain/Lion and Castle flag). The Spanish Empire would occupy South America, Central America and the Caribbean and North America (including present day Mexico, Florida and the Southwestern and Pacific Coast of the United States).

The state of Florida received its name from this Spanish conquistador, who called the peninsula "La Pascua Florida" in recognition of the vibrant landscape in the spring, which the Spaniards called "Pascua Florida" or Festival of Flowers.

Florida has flown many flags over the years. From the early Spanish explorers during the 16th century, to French, Mexican and the Britain during the 18th and 19th centuries before becoming a territory of the United States in 1821. Two decades later, in 1845, Florida was admitted to the union as the 27th US state with its present day flag.