The early days of the American Revolution led to the use of many flags as the colonists struggled
with the aims of the revolt, whether rights within the British Empire or outright independence.
Early designs tended to be modifications of British flags until the colonials took the path of
independence in 1776. From that point on, the flags of the United States took their own distinct
path.
History of the American Flag
An ensign used by British naval and merchant ships, the Red Ensign is the British flag initially
favored by the colonists, and all designs of American flags descended from this banner.
First used by George Washington on January 1, 1776, this modification of the British Red Ensign
became in effect the first national flag of the United States.
Rattlesnake flags were very popular with the colonists, particularly the more militant ones.
This variation of the "Don't Tread on Me" theme was used by Rhode Island naval figure Esek
Hopkins.
This is the flag design that legend says was created by Betsy Ross for George Washington.
Although most modern historians doubt the story, it has become a vital part of American History.
One of the original 13 star flags, the "Stars and Stripes" was probably the most commonly used
variant.
This unique flag was carried into battle by Vermont troops at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.
The American Stripes flag was flown on American Merchant Ships during the Revolutionary era.
This unique flag was flown at the headquarters of General Washington during most of the Revolutionary
War.
This flag was flown over the Bonhomme Richard, the ship commanded by Captain John Paul Jones,
during his epic duel in the North Sea with the British frigate the Serapis.
This flag was flown by Colonial troops at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina in 1781.
After the addition of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union in the early 1790s, the official flag of the
United States became the 15 star, 15 stripe flag. It was used until 1818. This was the flag whose
presence on the flagpole of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland inspired Francis Scott Key to
write the poem "The Star Spangled Banner." The poem was later put to music and in 1931
became our national anthem.
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