Six Flags Over Texas will only fly American flags

John C. Moritz | USA TODAY Network

Show Caption Hide Caption Confederate symbols still spur national division Confederate statues come down, Confederate memorials covered up and public debates over Confederate symbols rage across the country in the wake of deadly violence at a white nationalist rally in Virginia. (Aug. 16)

Texas' most iconic amusement park, Six Flags Over Texas, scuttled its 56-year tradition Friday of flying the emblems of all the nations that had reigned over the Lone Star State amid growing criticism of reminders of the Confederacy.

The park, which has affiliated theme parks across the country, will now fly only the American flag on its properties, a company representative said in a statement to news outlets.

“We always choose to focus on celebrating the things that unite us versus those that divide us," said spokeswoman Sharon Parker. "As such, we have changed the flag displays in our park to feature American flags."

Read more:

The decision came one day after Six Flags said it would not take down the Confederate flag in response to the deadly attack in Charlottesville, Va., during a demonstration against monuments to the Civil War.

Since its 1961 opening, Six Flags displayed the flags of the countries who at one point ruled Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, the United States and the Confederate states.

The Confederate flag is not the same as the more controversial battle flag, with a star-studded blue X crossing a red field. The battle flag has long been criticized as a symbol of white supremacy and intimidation.