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Since there was no official flag during the first year of the United States, there were a great number of homespun flag designs. This flag is without question the most well known of those. There are many reasons why this flag is confused with the first official U.S. flag and you can read more about Betsy Ross here.
The rattlesnake was the favorite animal emblem of the Americans even before the Revolution. In 1751 Benjamin Franklin's Pennsylvania Gazette carried a bitter article protesting the British practice of sending convicts to America. The author suggested tht the colonists return the favor by shipping "a cargo of rattlesnakes, which could be distributed in St. James Park, Spring Garden, and other places of pleasure, and particularly in the noblemen's gardens." Three years later the same paper printed the picture (as seen above) of a snake as a commentary on the Albany Congress. To remind the delegates of the danger of disunity, the serpent was shown cut to pieces. Each segment is marked with the name of a colony, and the motto "Join or Die" below. Other newspapers took up the snake theme.
By 1774 the segments of the snake had grown together, and the motto had been changed to read: "United Now Alive and Free Firm on this Basis Liberty Shall Stand and Thus Supported Ever Bless Our Land Till Time Becomes Eternity"
Other authors felt the rattlesnake was a good example of America's virtues. They argued that
it is unique to America; individually its rattles produce no sound, but united they can be
heard by all; and while it does not attack unless provoked, it is deadly to step upon one.
This was the personal flag of the Commander-In-Chief during the Revolutionary War. A reproduction of this flag flies today at Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge.
Also known as the Continental flag, it is the first true U.S. Flag. It combined the British King's Colours and the thirteen stripes signifying Colonial unity. George Washington liked this design so well that he chose it to be flown to celebrate the formation of the Continental Army on New Years Day, 1776. On that day the Grand Union Flag was proudly raised on Prospect Hill in Somerville, near his headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The American Revolutionary period was a time of intense but controlled individualism - when self-directing responsible individuals again and again decided for themselves what they should do, and did it- without needing anyone else to give them an assignment or supervise them in carrying it out.
Such a person was the patriot Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina. He had seen and liked a bright yellow banner with a hissing, coiled rattlesnake rising up in the center, and beneath the serpent the same words that appeared on the Striped Rattlesnake Flag - Don't Tread On Me. Colonel Gadsden made a copy of this flag and submitted the design to the Provincial Congress in South Carolina. Commodore Esek Hopkins, commander of the new Continental fleet, carried a similar flag in February, 1776, when his ships put to sea for the first time.
Hopkins captured large stores of British cannon and military supplies in the Bahamas. His cruise marked the salt-water baptism of the American Navy, and it saw the first landing of the Corps of Marines, on whose drums the Gadsden symbol was painted.
One of the first flags flown by our Navy may have been an adaptation of the "Rebellious Stripes" created at the time of the Stamp Act Congress. It featured thirteen red and white stripes. Stretched across them was the rippling form of a rattlesnake, and the words, "DON'T TREAD ON ME"- a striking indication of the colonists' courage and fierce desire for independence.
The flag we know today as the first Navy Jack (sometimes known as the "Culpepper Flag) is believed to have flown aboard the Alfred, flagship of the newly commissioned Continental fleet, in January, 1776. American ships used this flag, or one of its variations, throughout the Revolutionary War.
Used in the Battle of Bennington, August 16, 1777, by Vermont militia. This flag is the first to lead American armed forces on land. The original is preserved in the
museum at Bennington, Vermont.
The First Official United States Flag: This 13-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June14th, 1777 and is the result of the congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag was the official flag for a period of 18 years.
Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen Colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the Constitution and became a State.
- (1st) Delaware - December 7, 1787
- (2nd) Pennsylvania - December 12,1787
- (3rd) New Jersey - December 18, 1787
- (4th) Georgia - January 2, 1788
- (5th) Connecticut - January 9, 1788
- (6th) Massachusetts - February 6, 1788
- (7th) Maryland - April 28, 1788
- (8th) South Carolina - May 23, 1788
- (9th) New Hampshire - June 21, 1788
- (10th) Virginia - June 25, 1788
- (11th) New York - July 25, 1788
- (12th) North Carolina - November 21, 1789
- (13th) Rhode Island - May 29, 1790
Designed with 13 stripes alternating red, white and blue. This flag was raised by Captain John Paul Jones on the British frigate Serapis during the most famous Revolutionary naval battle.
He was born John Paul in Scotland in 1747 and went to sea when he was only twelve years old. By the time he arrived in Philadelphia in 1775 as an experienced sea captain, he had changed his name to John Paul Jones.
After conducting sea raids on the coast of Britain, he took command in 1779 of a
rebuilt French merchant ship, renamed the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard to honor
Benjamin Franklin. On September 23, 1779, Jones engaged the British frigate
Serapis in the North Sea, daringly sailing in close, lashing his vessel to
the British ship, and fighting the battle at point-blank range. During the fight
two of his cannon burst, and the British captain asked Jones if he was ready to
surrender. Replied Jones: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." The American crew
finally boarded the Serapis after the British had struck her colors, and
from the deck of the Serapis they watched the U.S.S.Bonhomme Richard sink
into the North Sea.
This unusual flag was made with thirteen 8-pointed stars in a wide field. Historical records
report this flag carried by North Carolina militiamen at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, March 17,1781.
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on May 1, 1795. Two stars were added for the admission of
- (14th) Vermont - March 4, 1791
- (15th) Kentucky - June 1, 1792
This was the official flag for 23 years. The five Presidents who served under this flag were; George
Washington (1789-1797), John
Adams (1797-1801), Thomas
Jefferson (1801-1809), James
Madison (1809-1817), and James
Monroe (1817-1825).
The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of
January 13, 1794, adding 2 stripes and 2 Stars. The regulation went into
effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than
13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis
Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Sept 13, 1814. The
image above is representative of the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry
on that day and which is now preserved in the Smithsonian Museum. You can
notice the "tilt" in some of the stars just as in the original
Star Spangled Banner.
| Where the original Star Spangled Banner went... | |
| 1814 | The battle occurred, and the flag won its glory. Armistead was promoted to Lt. Colonel by Madison, and given the flag when he retired. |
| 1818 | Armistead died, and legend says that the flag was used in his funeral. Afterwards, his daughter Georgiana Armistead retained possession of the flag. |
| 1824 | The flag was used in a reception for General Lafayette. Sometime afterwards, Georgiana gave the flag to her son, Even Appleton. |
| 1860's | The flag, ironically, was sent to England for safe keeping during the Civil War. |
| June 24, 1873 | The flag was displayed in the Charleston Naval Yards, and one of the first photographs was taken of it. |
| 1876 | The flag was loaned to the Smithsonian for the Centenial Celebration. |
| 1912 | Even Appleton donated the flag to the Smithsonian. |
| 1914 | Almari Flowler was commissioned to replace the original "sack cloth" backing with linen. |
Realizing that the addition of a new star and new stripe for each new State was impractical, Congress passed the Flag Act of 1818 which returned the flag design to 13 stripes and specified 20 stars for the 20 states.
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on April 13th, 1818.
- (16th) Tennessee - June 1, 1796
- (17th) Ohio - March 1, 1803
- (18th) Louisiana - April 30, 1812
- (19th) Indiana - December 11, 1816
- (20th) Mississippi - December 10, 1817
Five stars were added and it was the official flag for just one year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1819. A star was added for the admission of
- (21st) Illinois - December 3, 1818
This was the official flag for just one year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe
(1817-1825).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1820. Two stars were added for the admission of
- (22nd) Alabama - December 14, 1819
- (23rd) Maine - March 15, 1820
This was the official flag for 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1822. A star was added for the admission of
- (24th) Missouri - August 10, 1821
This was the official flag for fourteen years. The Presidents who served under this flag included
James Monroe (1817-1825),
John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), and
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1836. A star was added for the admission of
- (25th) Arkansas - June 15, 1836
This was the official flag for just one year. The two Presidents to serve under this flag were
Andrew Jackson (1829-1837), and
Martin Van Buren (1837-1841).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1837. A star was added for the admission of
- (26th) Michigan - January 26 ,1837
This was the official flag for for 8 years. The four Presidents to serve under this flag were; Martin Van Buren (1837-1841),
William Henry Harrison (1841),
John Tyler (1841-1845), and
James Polk (1845-1849).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1845. A star was added for the admission of
- (27th) Florida - March 3, 1845
This was the official flag for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this
flag was James Polk (1845-1849).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1846. A star was added for the admission of
- (28th) Texas - December 29, 1845
This was the official flag for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag
was James Polk (1845-1849).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1847. A star was added for the admission of
- (29th) Iowa - December 28, 1846
This was the official flag for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag
was James Polk (1845-1849).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1848. A star was added for the admission of
- (30th) Wisconsin - May 29, 1848
This was the official flag for 3 years. The three Presidents to serve under this flag were;
James Polk (1845-1849),
Zachary Taylor (1849-1850), and
Millard Fillmore (1850-1853).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1851. A star was added for the admission of
- (31st) California - September 9, 1850
This was the official flag for seven years. The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Millard Fillmore (1850-1853),
Franklin Pierce (1853-1857), and
James Buchanan (1857-1861).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1858. A star was added for the admission of
- (32nd) Minnesota - May 11, 1858
This was the official flag for only one year. The only President to serve under this
flag was James Buchanan (1857-1861).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1859. A star was added for the admission of
- (33rd) Oregon - February 14, 1859
This was the official flag for 2 years . The two Presidents who served under this flag were; James Buchanan (1857-1861), and Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1861. A star was added for the admission of
- (34th) Kansas - January 29, 1861
This was the official flag for two years. The only President to serve under this flag was
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1863. A star was added for the admission of
- (35st) West Virginia - June 20, 1863
This was the official flag for 2 years. The two Presidents to serve under this flag were Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865), and Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1865. A star was added for the admission of
- (36th) Nevada - October 31, 1864
This was the official flag for 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1867. A star was added for the admission of
- (37th) Nebraska - March 1, 1867
This was the official flag for ten years. The Presidents to serve under this flag
were Andrew Johnson (1865-1869),
Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877), and
Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1877. A star was added for the admission of
- (38th) Colorado - August 1, 1876
This was the official flag for 13 years. The five Presidents to serve under this flag
were;
Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), James A. Garfield (1881), Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885), Grover Cleveland (1885-1889), and Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1890. Five stars were added for the admission of
- (39th) North Dakota - November 2,1889
- (40th) South Dakota - November 2, 1889
- (41st) Montana - November 8, 1889
- (42nd) Washington - November 11, 1889
- (43rd) Idaho - July 3, 1890
This was the official flag for just 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag
was Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1891. A star was added for the admission of
- (44th) Wyoming - July 10, 1890
This was the official flag for 5 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were
Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), and
Grover Cleveland (1893-1897).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1896. A star was added for the admission of
- (45th) Utah - January 4, 1896
This was the official flag for 12 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were
Grover Cleveland (1893-1897),
William McKinley (1897-1901), and
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1908. A star was added for the admission of
- (46th) Oklahoma - November 16, 1907
This was the official flag for 4 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), and William H. Taft (1909-1913).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1912. Two new stars were added for the admission of
- (47th) New Mexico - January 6, 1912
- (48th) Arizona - February 14, 1912
Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established the proportions of the
flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of
eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.
This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag, through two World Wars and the emergence of the United States of America as the leading nation of the
world. Eight Presidents served under this flag; William H. Taft (1909-1913), Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921),
Warren Harding (1921-1923), Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929), Herbert Hoover (1929-1933), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945), Harry S.Truman (1945-1953), and Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961).
This Flag became the Official United States Flag on January 3, 1959. A star was added for the admission of
- (49th) Alaska - January 3, 1959
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
The first 49-star flag was made in the Army Quartermaster Depot at Philadelphia, and was used in the White House ceremony when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation admitting Alaska to the Union. Subsequently, this flag was carried to Philadelphia by Senator Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania, who gave it to the mayor of Philadelphia to raise over Independence Hall on July 4th, 1959. After these ceremonies Scott gave the flag to his colleague, Senator Earnest Gruening of Alaska, who, in turn, delivered it to Governor William A. Eagan to be flown over the state capitol at Juneau. This flag was later given to the Alaskan State Mueseum for preservation.
This was the official flag for only one year. President Eisenhower (1953-1961), was the only President to serve under this flag.
This is the current flag of the United States. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4, 1960. A star was added for the admission of
- (50th) Hawaii - August 21, 1959
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
The 27th flag of the United States. Ten presidents have served under this flag;
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961), John F. Kennedy (1961-1963), Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969), Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974), Gerald R. Ford (1974-1977), Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), Ronald W. Reagan (1981-1989), George Bush (1989-1993),
William J. Clinton (1993-2001), and George W. Bush. (2001-Present).
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Last Updated: Wednesday October 05 2005