Posted on 07/03/2003 7:17:25 PM PDT by Pharmboy
These are in as close to chronologic order as possible:
Sons of Liberty
This was the flag of the early colonist who had joined together in the protest against the British impositions on American economic freedom. One such protest was resistance to the Stamp Act, on October 7, 1765. A delegate from each of the nine colonies formed the "Stamp Act Congress" . They petitioned the king and parliament, the act was repealed on March 18, 1766. The flag of nine red and white stripes that represented these "Sons of Liberty" became known as the "Rebellious Stripes." On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty protested the parliament's Tea Act, an action that became known as the Boston Tea Party. The colonists' believed the tax to be a violation of their legitimate economic liberty. Three and a half years after the Tea Party the thirteen colonies had come together in their decision to fight for independence and the nine stripes had grown to thirteen. The Sons of Liberty would rally under a large tree which became known as "The Liberty Tree".
Taunton
This flag is an example of the colonists' modifying the British flag, in this case the British Red Ensign. It was raised on the Liberty pole in Taunton, Massachusetts, on October 21, 1774. Sometimes only the word "LIBERTY" was added to the flag.
British Red Ensign or "Colonial Red Ensign"
The best known of the British Maritime flags, or Ensigns, which were formed by placing the Union flag in the canton of another flag having a field of white, blue or red. This flag is also known as the Meteor flag, and was widely used on ships during the Colonial period. This was the first National flag of the United States.
Grand Union or "Continental Colors"
This flag was never officially sanctioned by the Continental Congress but is considered the first flag of the United States and was in use from late 1775 until mid 1777. This flag was an alteration of the British Meteor flag. In its blue canton was the red cross of St. George, signifying England, and the white cross of St. Andrew, signifying Scotland. The thirteen stripes signified the original colonies. Retaining the British Union in the canton indicated a continued loyalty, as the Americans saw it, to the constitutional government against which they fought. On January 1,1776, this flag was first raised on Prospect Hill (then called MT. Pisgah), in Somerville, Massachusetts. At this time the Continental army came into formal existence. At the time it was known as the continental colors because it represented the entire nation. In one of Washington's letters he referred to it as the "Great Union Flag" and it is most commonly called the Grand Union today.
Bunker Hill
On the night of June 16-17, 1775, the Americans fortified Breed's and Bunker Hills overlooking Boston Harbor. Although they had not officially declared their independence, a fight was underway. When the British advanced up the slope the next day they saw an early New England flag, possibly a red or blue banner. Many early Colonial flags had been made by altering the English flag and most still contained a reference to the mother country. This was an example that the Colonists still saw themselves as British subjects but were declaring their right to be free from violation of their liberties.
Gadsden
This flag was first used by Commodore Esek Hopkins, the first Commander in Chief of the New Continental Fleet. When his ships put to sea for the first time in February, 1776, flags with the symbol of the rattlesnake were very popular in Rhode Island at this time. Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina copied this flag and presented it to the Continental Congress.
Betsy Ross or "First Stars & Stripes"
This flag was adopted June 14, 1777 (Flag Day). The Continental Congress on this day resolved, "That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes alternating red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation". It is unknown who actually designed this flag. There is a slight possibility that John Paul Jones did. The Congress did not specify an arrangement for the stars in the canton, as a result there are many variations in the flags that followed until 1912.
There are more at the site.
Your Obdt. Svt.
Pboy
Thanks!
Let 'em come!
May I also suggest individual historic-site gift shops for the harder-to-find.
For example, I found Gen. Washington's Camp Standard at the Mount Vernon Gift Shop and ordered by phone (it's always good to call...the flag I wanted was not offered at their web site but available to a call-in).
They are also for sale in every Naval Exchange store.
However I rotate it around with my Gadsen flag, my US flag, my Iowa flag, my Iowa State University Cyclones flag, my Marshall University Thundering Herd flag, and my Pittsburgh Steelers flag.
I hope I don't need to fly the Clones, the Herd, and the Stillers at half staff too many times this fall.
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