Every single one of the United States of America's 50 states has its own flag, and each typically has deep ties to the territory's history and can help uncover things about its past. As well as history, these banners are strongly tied to identity and can stir powerful emotions in the hearts of the people in their respective states. However, few U.S. state flags generate feelings as intense, and divisive as that of Alabama's — a design that is deceptively simple but also highly controversial.

The Alabamian state flag is instantly recognizable: A bold crimson cross, its arms reaching diagonally to the corners of the flag on a plain white background. The cross is said to be that of St. Andrew, a design element known as a saltire. It also appears on the national flag of Scotland, of which St.

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