1776-1777
First used by the Green Mountain Boys in the Battle of Bennington.
This famous flag was also carried in the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Guilford Court House, and at General Burgoyne's surrender at the Battle of Saratoga, October 17, 1777
1775-1776
Commissioned especially to fly over American shipping and was the standard for six schooners during these years.
In 1776, the "Franklin", flying the cruisers flag captured thirty British vessels.
1775-1777
A combination of Colonial Union and British Union, this flag was in use when the 13 Colonies were still under charter to the Mother Country.
Carried on the flagship "Alfred" and raised by General Washington at Cambridge, Mass. in January, 1776. In March, 1776, the Marines carried the flag on their expedition to the Bahamas. Benedict Arnold's tiny fleet also carried the flag on Lake Champlain.
1774
This flag was first flown at the training field at Taunton, Mass.
It was flown many times atop the Liberty Pole to call patriots to an important meeting.
1776
Flown by Commodore Hopkins on the Congress Fleet the first time the fleet entered foreign territory, March 3, 1776.
The occasion was an organized expedition to the Bahamas to seize powder stored there by the British.
1775
This famous flag was carried by the Minute Men in the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775.
1775
Several versions of the Rattlesnake Flag appeared throughout the Revolution.
This version was adopted by Congress and was hung in the Congress Room.
1777
"Old Glory", "The Stars and Stripes" was born on June 14, 1777
The flag was designed by a congressional committee and made by Betsy Ross.
It became the symbol of America and was the fore runner of all future flags of the United States.
This Five Point Flag dates from before 1840. It is on permanent display, and is the property of Gordon Parsons, Santa Ana, CA.
"The Star Spangled Banner"
General George Washington, Colonel George Ross, and Robert Morris were appointed by the 2nd Continental Congress as a committee "Authorized to design a suitable flag for the Nation".
In June 1776 the committee called on Betsy Ross, who operated an upholstery shop at 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia. The twenty-three year old widow of John Ross was shown a rough pencil sketch of the proposed flag.
The sketch showed a flag of thirteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white. The blue field contained a circle of thirteen six-pointed stars. Mrs. Ross suggested that the stars should be five-pointed, and her suggestion was accepted.
The thirteen-star flag was adopted by Congress on June 14, 1777. It was first flown over Fort Stanwix. New York on August 3, 1777.
This flag remained our national emblem until May 1, 1795, when the fifteen star flag was adopted.
American Flags from 1776: The Bennington Flag, Washington's Cruisers Flag, The Grand Union Flag, The Taunton Flag, The Navy Jack, Bunker Hill Flag, The Rattlesnake Flag, The Betsy Ross Flag (1777)