RALEIGH — As the controversy surrounding the Confederate battle flag on some North Carolina license plates continues, this is the second time the state has considered changing its license plate because of political criticism.
While North Carolina is known for the “First in Flight” slogan flaunted on license plates today, historian Rick Kretschmer said “First in Freedom” came long before.
"It was a vague reference to the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775 and the Halifax Resolves of 1776,” he said.
The “First in Freedom” plates from the 1970s fueled arguments as well and was the slogan on North Carolina license plates from 1975 until 1978, until it was discontinued.
"It was controversial because African Americans in particular objected to the claim that we were first in freedom, and we were a slave state for so long,” said Kretschmer.
The current controversy surrounding the Confederate battle flag on some North Carolina license plates has Gov. Pat McCrory calling upon state legislators to make some changes. However, NCDOT officials say DMV is bound by law to issue the plates, only to North Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans members.
"Under legal statute, we have to continue issuing this plate that has been approved for this civic group, which we will do until we see the outcome of the governor's request,” said NCDOT’s Mike Charbonneau.
North Carolina drivers will soon have another choice for standard-issue license plates.
In addition to the familiar “First in Flight” plate, lawmakers say a new version of the “First in Freedom” license plate will be available from the NCDMV starting in early July.