NEWSConfederate flag is removed from S.C. StatehouseA crowd sings after a South Carolina honor guard lowers the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds for the last time on July 10, 2015 in Columbia, S.C.John Moore, Getty ImagesSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley hugs Rev. Norvel Goff, interim pastor at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, before an honor guard from the South Carolina Highway Patrol removed the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol grounds.John Bazemore, APA South Carolina state police honor guard lowers the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds in Columbia, S.C.John Moore, Getty ImagesA large crowd celebrates after a South Carolina honor guard lowers the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds for the last time in Columbia.John Moore, Getty ImagesA crowd cheers as a South Carolina state police honor guard lowers the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds. Republican Governor Nikki Haley presided over the event after signing the historic legislation yesterday.John Moore, Getty ImagesA crowd cheers as a South Carolina honor guard lowers the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds.John Moore, Getty ImagesA member of an honor guard from the South Carolina Highway patrol carries the Confederate battle flag as it is removed it from the Capitol grounds in Columbia, S.C. The Confederate flag was lowered from the grounds of the South Carolina Statehouse to the cheers of thousands, ending its 54-year presence there and marking a stunning political reversal in a state where many thought the rebel banner would fly indefinitely.John Bazemore, APCrowds cheer and sing as the South Carolina State Police honor guard lower the Confederate flag for the last time during a ceremony at the State House in Columbia, S.C.Richard Ellis, EpaAn honor guard from the South Carolina Highway patrol removes the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol grounds in Columbia, S.C.John Bazemore, APSouth Carolina State Representatives congratulate each other during the ceremony to remove the Confederate flag flying at the Statehouse after the Governor signed into law a bill to remove the symbol in Columbia, S.C.Richard Ellis, EpaAn honor guard from the South Carolina Highway patrol removes the Confederate battle flag from the Capitol grounds in Columbia, S.C., ending its 54-year presence there.John Bazemore, APS.C. Gov. Nikki Haley, right, and her staff look out from the capitol as media and citizens gather to witness the removal of the Confederate flag from the state house grounds in Columbia, S.C.Jeffrey Collins, APA spectator has a poster with the pictures of the AME nine victims as he waits for the ceremony to remove the Confederate flag flying at the state house after the Governor signed into law a bill to remove the symbol in Columbia last month.Richard Ellis, EpaS.C. Republican Wendell Gilliard waves a U.S. flag on the steps of the state house before a ceremony to remove the confederate flag from the property in Columbia. Following the massacre of nine people last month critics called for the removal of the racist symbol from the state capitol.Richard Ellis, EpaJohn Blankenship watches the sun rise on Confederate battle flag at the S.C. Statehousein Columbia. Yesterday, Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill ordering the removal of the flag from the capitol grounds this morning at 10 a.m. Blankenship is from Granite Falls, N.C.Sean Rayford, Getty ImagesA woman waves a sign as she waits for the Confederate battle flag to be removed from in front of the South Carolina Statehouse.John Bazemore, AP