The Isle of Eight Flags

French Huguenot explorer Jean Ribault landed near here and claimed the region for France — the first European flag over the island.

Spain established control over Florida, flying the Cross of Burgundy. The island sat within Spanish Florida for generations.

Britain acquired Florida by treaty after the Seven Years' War, developed the area, then returned it to Spain twenty years later.

A group of “Patriots,” backed by U.S. interests, briefly rebelled against Spanish rule and raised their own flag to organize a republic.

Scottish adventurer Gregor MacGregor seized the island and raised a white flag with a green cross, declaring the “Republic of the Floridas.”

French privateer Luis Aury took over, raised the Mexican rebel flag, and used the deep-water port as a base for privateering and smuggling.

During the Civil War, Florida joined the Confederacy and this flag flew over Fernandina until Union forces occupied the island in 1862.

Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821. After a brief Confederate period, U.S. forces returned in 1862 and the Stars and Stripes has flown ever since.