History of the Confederate Flag Today marks the 150th anniversary of the First National Flag of the Confederate States of America. Some argue the flag is a symbol of racism. Others say it's just Southern pride. We take a look at the flag's history and its influence in pop culture . Confederate battle flag history After flag confusion at this summertime conflict, a Confederate general demanded a different battlefield banner and got a legendary one William Porcher Miles Miles, a former mayor of Charleston, S.C., designed the Confederate battle flag , which was rejected as the national flag because it resembled suspenders. But this fighting force adopted the rebel banner. Bonnie Blue Flag The well-known Confederate battle flag wasn't the only one carried by rebel regiments during the Civil War . Another popular one, the Bonnie Blue, was first displayed in this short-lived republic. Southern state secession At the outbreak of the Civil War, there were 15...