FLAGS OVER ARIZONA

ILLUSTRATED BY LARRY TOSCHIK

The genealogical tap root of that heraldic mistake but symbolically eloquent banner, known as the Arizona State Flag, stretches back to antiquity. It is not surprising to vexilloligists (flag researchers) that its design elements were spawned in religious strife, and its accidental birth, midwifed by the military, was accompanied by the pangs of raging emotion and conflict.

The human parade, passing in review, has exhibited every facet of emotion and behavior from treachery and rebellion to honor and glory. The flag had its detractors and defenders. There is even one spurious claim made concerning its origin. An editorial November 12, 1910 reveals the temper of the times: "Now that Arizona is about to become a state, we should have a state flag. It should fly side by side with the national emblem over every school house, and just as the flag salute should be taught to every school child, so should every state call attention to its own banner. We are told many times that the hope of the nation is in the public schools. Let's begin there in the matter of state flags. As it flies it will excite curiosity, then interest. It will suggest state anniversaries; history and traditions will crop out. On such a foundation it will be easy to build efficient patriotism."

Yet when statehood came, on February 14, 1912, no official state flag was present to witness George Hunt's dramatic walk to his inauguration, or hear the stirring speech made by William Jennings Bryan. The battleship ARIZONA splashed down the ways on June 19, 1915 while the legislature was debating the flag's design. Only as Arizona boys were marching off to war in 1917 was the regiment presented an official banner.

The twists and turns of our flag history begin when Francisco Vasquez de Coronado led an expedition into this area searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. Coronado appointed Fray Marco de Niza to scout the land in 1536. Niza reported glittering tales of cities with golden-domed structures. Coronado heard what he wanted to hear, and launched his own expedition in February, 1540.

The Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, was impressed by the 200 horsemen, 100 foot soldiers, 1,000 Indian carriers, and 1,000 extra horses passing in review. Burnished armor shining, lances flashing, and with banners flying they began their trek down the Glory Road to disappointment, death and fame. There were no cities of gold, but they did discover the Grand Canyon.

Even though our eastern seaboard had been touched as early as 1000 A.D. by the Viking explorer, Leif Erikson, flying the Black Raven banner, Coronado brought the first European flag into the western half of this continent. He carried the flag of SPAIN.

We know what it looked like, but what was its origin and meaning? We should know, for our own Arizona flag is directly related to that banner.

In 1540 the Spanish flag consisted of the combined arms of Castile and Aragon. At one time they were separate kingdoms, uniting in 1479 through the marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon to Queen Isabella of Castile. All the kingdoms eventually united under their influence.

It was not always thus. In 711 A.D. the Moors overwhelmed Spain, bringing their Moslem religion from Africa. Only a few small kingdoms Castile, Aragon, Leon and Navarre remained Christian. In those times of religious passion two different theologies could not co-exist. The wars began, producing the great Spanish hero, El Cid, who conquered Valencia in 1094 for the Christians. Battles raged through the 1100's and 1200's. By 1276 the Moorish kingdom was reduced to the remaining state of Granada, which fell to Spanish troops in 1492.

The Castilian flag the FIRST FLAG over Arizona was thus born in religious conflict. It hung limp in shame at the Inquisition, but lived on in the fame of discovery, for it was the flag Columbus took ashore at San Salvador in 1492. Aragon's red, rampant lion, a symbol stemming from the Crusades, was also chosen by Richard the Lion-Hearted as his personal emblem. It still appears in the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom.

While Arizona was still part of the Spanish Empire in 1785, King Charles III adopted a new flag of red and gold stripes the SECOND FLAG over Arizona. Legend has it that the design was inspired by an incident occurring in 873 A.D. Charles the Bald honored Geoffry, Count of Barcelona, who had been mortally wounded in the battle against the Normans, by dipping his four fingers in the Count's blood, and drawing two parallel stripes across the Count's golden shield. Sacrificial blood (red) and temporal wealth (gold), the colors of Spain, appear today in Arizona's flag.

Spain's Empire crumbled with Mexican Independence. The revolt began on September 16, 1810, and culminated in September, 1821, when Agustin de Iturbide was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico by his victorious-troops. In 1833, Antonio

Lt. Col. John R. Baylor, with a company of 300 mounted riflemen from Texas, “took formal possession of the Territory of Arizona in the name of the Confederate States of America,” August 1, 1861, designating Mesilla (New Mexico) as its capital. This was prior to the establishment of Arizona and New Mexico as separate territories.

President Jefferson Davis proclaimed, in 1862, that the Confederate Territory of Arizona was now established. Ironically, the date was February 14 the same date Arizona was admitted to the Union, fifty years later!

(How the gods must smile at our affinity for dates, chosen as they are by whim and fancy. President Taft was to sign the document admitting Arizona into statehood in 1912. Some urged him to affix his signature on February 12th (Lincoln's Birthday), since Lincoln created Arizona as a separate Territory in February, 1863. But Taft had to make a speech. The 13th a most unauspicious day in the minds of the superstitious wouldn't do to launch so august a venture as statehood. So the 14th is Statehood Day in Arizona because a president “was busy” making a speech!) Now our “stranger” would make his call. Captain Sherod Hunter, of the Texas Brigade, raised the Confederate Battle Flag over Tucson on February 28, 1862. The Battle of Picacho Pass was fought just north of there on April 15th, the Confederates fleeing after killing three Union troops.

The “stranger” was gone. Old Glory was raised again over Tucson by the Military Governor, James H. Carleton, on May 24th. The flag issue was settled!

Kearney and Cooke's flag had 28 stars in the Union. Carleton raised the 34 star flag. It was the first Territory flag.

Lincoln created Arizona as a separate territory on February 24, 1863, but the official party that set up governmental apparatus, appointed officers, and determined the capital did not enter Arizona until December 27th. They proceeded two days' journey further, to Navajo Springs, to be sure they were well within the boundaries of the new territory, and to secure sufficient water for the horses and men.

Governor John N. Goodwin proclaimed civil government. Secretary Richard C. McCormick, in his following speech, stated: “The flag which I hoist in token of our authority is no new, untried banner. For nearly a century it has been recognized, the honored, the loved emblem of law and liberty. From Canada to Mexico, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, millions of strong arms are raised in its defense, and, above the efforts of all foreign and domestic foes, it is destined to live untarnished and transcendent.” McCormick hoisted the Stars and Stripes, and called for cheers. The men obliged with gusto. Champagne was drunk to the health of the new territory, and prayer was offered by Reverend H. W. Read.

It was under the banner of King Charles III that the Franciscan missionary-explorers expanded their mission building program and extended the routes of travel to the Pacific.