text: After flying for 54 years on South Carolina's Capitol grounds, it took only a moment to take down the Confederate flag on July 10, 2015. Years of deep-rooted controversy over the banner gained steam after the June massacre of nine black churchgoers in Charleston. "This flag, while an integral part of our past, does not represent the future of our great state," Gov. Nikki Haley said as she called for its removal.