A Mississippi city took down the state flag because of the Confederate battle flag

By David Williams, CNN

Updated 2:46 PM ET, Wed June 17, 2020

Officials in Gulfport, Mississippi, remove the state flag from the flagpole at City Hall.
Officials in Gulfport, Mississippi, remove the state flag from the flagpole at City Hall.

(CNN)The city of Gulfport, Mississippi, is removing the state flag at all city-owned buildings and facilities because it includes the Confederate battle flag.

The city council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday urging the Mississippi Legislature to "respectfully retire" the flag that has flown over the state since 1894.
Evolution of the Confederate flag
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
A veteran of the Confederate States of America examines a Union water bottle in front of a Confederate flag. Here's a look at the evolution of that flag.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
A veteran of the Confederate States of America examines a Union water bottle in front of a Confederate flag. Here's a look at the evolution of that flag.
Hide Caption
1 of 6
The first national flag of the Confederate States of America was created in 1861 and had seven stars to represent the breakaway states of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
The first national flag of the Confederate States of America was created in 1861 and had seven stars to represent the breakaway states of South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.
Hide Caption
2 of 6
The second National Flag of the Confederacy was issued by the Confederate Congress on May 1, 1863. This flag was designed to have a distinct difference from the Union's Stars and Stripes.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
The second National Flag of the Confederacy was issued by the Confederate Congress on May 1, 1863. This flag was designed to have a distinct difference from the Union's Stars and Stripes.
Hide Caption
3 of 6
The third National Flag of the Confederacy was the final flag of the Confederate government and was adopted on March 4, 1865. The flag was not used long before the Confederacy surrendered.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
The third National Flag of the Confederacy was the final flag of the Confederate government and was adopted on March 4, 1865. The flag was not used long before the Confederacy surrendered.
Hide Caption
4 of 6
The Confederate Battle flag known as the "Southern Cross" has 13 stars to represent the defeated Confederate States of America.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
The Confederate Battle flag known as the "Southern Cross" has 13 stars to represent the defeated Confederate States of America.
Hide Caption
5 of 6
Dixiecrats resurrected the "Southern Cross" flag as a political symbol around the time President Harry Truman supported efforts to end lynchings and desegregate the military in 1948. During that same period, the Ku Klux Klan began using the flag more widely.
Photos: Evolution of the Confederate flag
Dixiecrats resurrected the "Southern Cross" flag as a political symbol around the time President Harry Truman supported efforts to end lynchings and desegregate the military in 1948. During that same period, the Ku Klux Klan began using the flag more widely.
Hide Caption
6 of 6
confederate battle flag 1875