LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Confederate symbols, specifically for flags, are causing a lot of controversy across the country, and it has people wondering about the history of Arkansas' flag. Let's take a look.
The Arkansas state flag was created more than 100 years ago. In 1913, as part of a statewide contest. Miss Willie Hocker came up with the winning design.
Her flag looks a whole lot like the flag of today. Twenty-five stars, showing Arkansas was the 25th state admitted into the Union. The diamond, showing the state's diamond production. But, her flag had just three blue stars.
Showing Arkansas had belonged to three countries; France, Spain and the United States. That flag flew for ten years.
But, then someone realized there was nothing representing the state being in the Confederacy on the flag. So in 1923, the state added the fourth star, above the word 'Arkansas.'
So, yes, there is a nod to the Confederacy on the state flag, and it's drawn attention. Twice last year alone, a bill came up in the state house to change. Not the flag itself, but just the meaning of the fourth star.
A move Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he would support. But both times it was blocked by committee before it even had a chance on the floor.