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Current Flag of the United States of America
The Flag of the United States of America has evolved over the years, but one thing has remained constant throughout history - the American Flag is a symbol of freedom and liberty for all Americans. That is why we proudly fly a variation of it everyday.
The flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue field represent the 50 states.
The colors on the flag represent:
- Red: valor and bravery
- White: purity and innocence
- Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Many Americans have fought, and died, to preserve the freedoms this flag represents. To those who have carried the flag into battle - on a staff, on your sleeve, or in your heart - within our borders or elsewhere in the world - we thank you!
For more information, please visit:
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Grand Union Flag
Also known as the Great Union Flag, Continental flag, or Continental Colors, the Grand Union Flag this is the first true United States Flag. The design combines the British King's Colours as the canton, and thirteen stripes signifying the thirteen new colonies.
First flown by Lieutenant John Paul Jones aboard the Alfred warship on December 3rd, 1775. On that date, even before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 13 new Colonies of the United States were all represented by one solitary flag. This would continue to be the flag representing the United States through much of the US revolution.
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
This was the recognized flag of the new United States' thirteen colonies until it was replaced by the Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777.
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
January 1st - Anniversary of the formation of the Continental Army and the raising of this flag at Prospect Hill
December 3rd - Anniversary of the very first time this flag was flown to represent the 13 Colonies of the United States.
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The Serapis Flag
Also known as the John Paul Jones Flag, this unconventional variation of an early United States ensign is perhaps one of the most unique designs ever used to identify the United States as an official flag. The flag has thirteen stripes colored red, white, and blue, and thirteen 8-point stars in the canton.
This flag was raised aboard the captured British frigate HMS Serapis by U.S. Navy Captain John Paul Jones following a point-blank battle on September 23, 1779 off the coast of England. During the battle, known as the Battle of Flamborough Head, the Serapis captain shouted to Jones to ask if he was ready to surrender. Jones replied: "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight!"
Although the American crew lost their ship in the battle, the USS Bonhomme Richard, they won the battle and boarded/seized the British vessel (HMS Serapis) and sailed to the Dutch port of Texel. With no ensign to identify the ship, these colors were raised above the Serapis to identify the vessel as an American ship so the crew could not be charged as pirates as British officials were alleging.
The design of the Serapis Flag is based on a description of the new U.S. flag as understood at the time by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, ambassadors to the French government:
"... the flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen stripes, alternately red, white, and blue; a small square in the upper angle, next the flagstaff, is a blue field, with thirteen white stars, denoting a new constellation."
Dutch records dated October 5, 1779 include a sketch of this design. For more information visit: https://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/serapis-flag.html
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
September 23rd - Anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head
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Betsy Ross Flag
For the first several years following the signing of the Declaration of Independence there was no official United States Flag. During this period there were a number of independent flag designs which were used to represent the new nation, the most well known being the Betsy Ross Flag.
Although not confirmed as the official United States Flag, this design was purportedly made by Betsy Ross at the direction of George Washington for a flag meeting the standard defined by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.
"That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
January 3rd - Anniversary of the Battle of Princeton
June 14 - Flag Day, Anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777
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The Star Spangled Banner
Also referred to as the 15-Star, 15-Stripe Flag.
Authorized as the U.S. Flag on May 1st, 1795, the Star Spangled Banner was flown for 23 years as our Nation's official flag, and it is the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes.
Known as "The Star Spangled Banner", this was the flag flown over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and through the 25-hour British bombardment of the Fort on September 13, 1814. Flying triumphantly the following morning, this version of the American Flag was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to pen the words that would later become the National Anthem.
A version of this flag still flies above Ft. McHenry to this day!
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
May 1st - Anniversary of the Flag Act of 1794, enacted in 1795
July 4th - Independence Day in honor of the Star Spangled Banner which was inspired by this flag
September 13 - Anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry
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The Guilford Courthouse Flag
One of the most unique and unusual early American flag designs, the colors of the Guilford Courthouse Flag are inverted, displaying red and blue stripes, with a white canton of blue 8-point stars. Although very unique even among other Revolution era flags, the Guilford Courthouse Flag does still feature 13 stars and 13 stripes (although some historians believe that there may have been up to 15 stars and 15 stripes at one point, possibly added later in history). Another notable feature of this flag is the aspect ratio and the very elongated white canton.
The Guilford Courthouse Flag, is said to have been flown during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781, in what is now Greensboro, NC, as recorded by oral history. The validity of this, however, has been called into question by some historians due to the size of the flag, materials used to make it, and evidence of additional stars and stripes which could indicate a manufacture date closer to the War of 1812. Counter arguments state that additional stars and stripes, if ever a part of this flag, may have been added later as the United States grew.
Whatever the origin of the specific flag held by the North Carolina Museum of History, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was, without a doubt, a pivotal Revolutionary War battle. During that 90-minute battle, 4,500 American patriots faced off with 2,100 invading British Army troops. Although the battle was recorded as a loss for the Americans, the British Army suffered "unsustainable casualties" and subsequently withdrew to the coast to re-group, leaving the Americans with the strategic advantage. The "victory" was so devastating that one British political leader was quoted to say "Another such victory would ruin the British Army". His Army weakened, British Lt. General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington later that year, concluding the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War.
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
March 15th - Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse
October 17th - Anniversary of the Battle of Kings Mountain
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The Fort Mercer Flag
Another unique and unusual early American flag design, the colors of the Fort Mercer Flag are inverted, displaying blue and white stripes, with a red canton of white stars. Since the replica flags designed today are based only on a sketch of how it looked in 1777 instead of an actual remaining flag, some aspects, such as the star design, are varied depending on the flag maker. Our flag depicts 5-point stars with the points downward. Other variants of the same flag may have stars in different orientations and differ with the number of points the stars have.
Sketched only four months after the Flag Resolution, the Fort Mercer Flag might be the first depiction of the Stars and Stripes pattern of the American flag, even if the colors are reversed from what Congress intended.
The Fort Mercer Flag is said to have been flown over Fort Mercer during the Battle of Red Bank on October 22, 1777. Fort Mercer was located on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River, just south of Philadelphia. During this Revolutionary War battle, a small force of approximately 400 Americans repelled a much larger army of up to 2,500 Hessian troops fighting on behalf of the British, resulting in an incredible victory for the Americans against overwhelming odds.
For more information on Fort Mercer and the Battle of Red Bank, visit: https://www.revolutionarywarjournal.com/tag/fort-mercer/
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
October 22nd - Anniversary of the Battle of Red Bank
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The Bennington Flag
Typical of many Revolution era flags, the Bennington Flag features 13 stars and 13 stripes. Additionally, this version of the American Flag features a large "76" in the oversized canton (referencing the year the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776), white outermost stripes, and 7-point stars instead of the typical 5-point stars.
Although widely debated, this flag is believed to have been flown by Nathanial Fillmore during the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777, but may have been created simply to commemorate the event many years later.
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
August 16th - Anniversary of the Battle of Bennington
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28-Star Great Luminary Flag
The 28-Star American Flag became official following Texas becoming a part of the Union on December 29, 1845. Since there were no laws in place dictating the pattern of the stars until an Executive Order by President Taft in 1912 updating the Flag Act, a variety of 28-Star flags existed with different patterns.
This 28-Star Great Luminary Flag is one of the more unique designs from that era, where the individual stars are grouped to form one larger star. Current regulations state that each star will be oriented identically, with one point up.
WHEN WE FLY THIS FLAG:
December 29th - Anniversary of Texas joining the Union
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Subdued American Flag
Subdued American Flags are often found on military or law enforcement uniforms, and sometimes flown by certain units in situations where the visibility of a full color flag would be too stark in contrast to the surroundings, potentially compromising safety in hostile environments. We sometimes fly this flag in honor of those who have defended our country without hope of recognition or reward. Those quiet professionals in the military and law enforcement who's names we may never know, but who have fought for our freedoms nonetheless.
We may also be flying this flag in lieu of lowering the flag to half mast for mourning purposes.
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Mourning Ribbon/Streamer
Flying a flag on a house often makes it difficult to lower the flag to half mast when appropriate for mourning purposes. In lieu of lowering our flag, we may attach black mourning streamers or fly a black subdued flag. For up-to-date information on when/why the American Flag is to be lowered to Half-Staff, check out our "links" section. Subscribing to the newsletter from American Flagpole and Flag Co. will ensure you have the latest information on when to lower your American Flag (or provide information so you always know why flags have been lowered).
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