The adoption of the first national flag of the Confederate States of America, often referred to as the "Stars and Bars," marked a significant moment in the early months of the Confederacy. The flag's design, which consisted of three horizontal stripes—two red and one white—with a blue square in the canton adorned by a circle of stars, was emblematic of the new Southern identity. The creation of this flag took place in Montgomery, Alabama, where the Confederate Congress convened, solidifying the Confederate identity in response to the growing tensions and eventual conflict with the Union.The need for a recognizable flag was urgent as the Confederacy sought to establish itself as a legitimate government separate from the United States. The flag represented not only the military cause of the Confederate army but also the ideals of sovereignty and states' rights that motivated the Southern states' secession. Its adoption was part of the broader efforts to create national symbols that fostered unity and pride among the Confederate states.In the months following its adoption, the flag gained notoriety and became a symbol of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. However, its design and meaning would later adapt as the conflict progressed, leading to different versions being used as the war evolved. The "Stars and Bars" would remain an iconic symbol, representing both the cultural heritage of the South and the contentious history surrounding the Civil War.