The Bonnie Blue Flag (single white star on a blue field) was the flag of the short-lived Republic of West Florida. In September 1810, settlers in the Spanish territory of West Florida revolted against the Spanish government and proclaimed an independent republic. The Bonnie Blue Flag was raised at the Spanish fort in Baton Rouge on September 23, 1810. West Florida was annexed by the United States and the republic ceased to exist, after a life of 74 days. After that, when Mississippi seceded from the Union on January 9, 1861, as a sign of independence, the Bonnie Blue Flag (a single white star on a blue field) was raised over the capitol building in Jackson.