Danielle Husband
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect a decision reversal by Six Flags Over Texas to remove the confederate flag from the park.
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As the national debate over Confederate symbols rages forth, earlier this morning, Six Flags Over Texas confirmed their controversial decision to not remove a Confederacy-era flag, despite calls for removals.
However, company officials reversed this decision shortly thereafter:
“At Six Flags Over Texas we strive every single day to make people happy and to create a fun, thrilling and safe family friendly experience for our guests,” Sharon Parker, Manager of Communications for Six Flags Over Texas, said in a statement. “We always choose to focus on celebrating the things that unite us versus those that divide us. As such, we have changed the flag displays in our park to feature American flags.”
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In honor of their name and the history of Texas, the amusement park featured the six flags that flew above the Lone Star State over the course of its history.
Can you guess the year? #TBT #ThrowbackThursday #SixFlagsOverTexas pic.twitter.com/bPXtNHXlOZ
— Six Flags Over Texas (@SixFlagsOverTX) April 27, 2017
Six Flags Over Texas has flown the “Stars and Bars” Confederate States of America flag since 1961, which was the first official flag of the Confederacy. It is not the same flag as the better known Confederate Battle flag. The Confederate States of America flag flew over Texas from 1861-1865.
The flag is included in the company’s logo and flies over the park, but no merchandise featuring the flag is sold in the park’s stores.
RELATED: Group urges Houston City Council to remove confederate statue
The other five flags that have flown over Texas include Spain (1519-1821), France (1685-1690), Mexico (1821-1836), Republic of Texas (1836-1845) and United States of America (1845-1861, 1865-Present).
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