During the course of its history, United States has seen a number of flags. The flag of United States, popularly known as the Stars and Stripes, has also undergone many changes over history.
Other notable flags used in the American history include the Confederate flag as well as various flags used during the American Revolution and the American Civil War. Unique flags have also been used by various American armies during major conflicts.
The Betsy Ross flag is one of the earliest variations of the American national flag. Legend has it that George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross to design this flag during the American Revolution. Although it is often claimed as the first flag of independent America, the legend is not supported by history.
The design of the Betsy Ross flag comprises of 13 stars arranged in a circle. Each star represents one of the original Thirteen Colonies that fought in the Revolutionary War. To the right of the stars is a field of white and red alternating stripes.
The Whiskey Rebellion flag is another American flag used in its formative years. The Whiskey Rebellion was an event that took place in Pennsylvania soon after American Independence. The rebellion was a protest against the taxes imposed by the newly formed American government.
A number of flags were used by the rebels during the rebellion. One of the flags most popularly associated with the Whiskey Rebellion bears 13 stars scattered around an eagle centrally positioned. The eagle is holding a ribbon in its beak.
The Moultrie Flag was a flag that was popularly used by the American colonists during the Revolutionary War. It is named after Colonial William Moultrie who defended the Sullivan’s island against an attack from British naval forces.
The brave and heroic stand of Moultrie and his men helped save Charleston from British occupation. During the attack, the flag was shot down but a sergeant ran towards the flag, hoisted it in his hands until a new stand became available. The Moultrie Flag is also often called the Liberty Flag.
The Gadsden Flag was a flag that was flown by the colonist or patriot forces during the American Revolutionary War. The flag is named after Christopher Gadsden, a politician who designed the flag. The actual design of the flag features a yellow rattlesnake which is seen on a yellow field.
Under the rattlesnake is the motor ‘Don’t Tread on me’. The rattlesnake symbolizes the American colonists and colonies. It is a symbolic statement that the British would be paid in the same coin if they attacked the colonists.
The Bonnie Blue Flag is a flag that was used to represent the Confederate States of American during the American Civil War. The flag was not officially adopted by the Confederate government but its unofficial use was popular across the South.
The original design of the Bonnie Blue Flag features a large five-pointed white star on a blue field. The simple and iconic design of the flag has contributed to its enduring popularity. It remains one of the icons of the American southeast to this day. The design of the flag borrowed from the flag of the Republic of West Florida which dates all the way back to 1810.
The Grand Union Flag is one of the flags used by the Continental forces during the Revolutionary War. The flag features 13 alternating red and white stripes depicting the original 13 colonies. At the top left corner of the flag is a design very similar to the British Union Flag. The design symbolizes the unique identity of the 13 colonies which trace their origins to Britain. The first use of the Grand Union Flag is dated to 1775 when it was first flown by the Continental Navy.
The Culpeper Minutemen were a militia group that fought in the American Revolutionary War. The group had its own flag which was known as the Culpeper flag. This flag was quite similar to the Gadsden flag but with some notable differences.
Like the Gadsden flag, the central figure on the Culpeper flag is a rattlesnake. Another similar feature is the motto ‘Don’t Tread On Me’ written under the rattlesnake. A unique feature is another motto ‘Liberty or Death’ that surrounds the rattlesnake. On top of the snake is a ribbon that reads ‘The Culpeper Minute Men’.
The Dixie flag was the flag of the Confederate States of America. It was the official flag of the Confederacy during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. The flag features 13 stars in a circular arrangement at the left with 3 alternating red and white stripes to the right. The 13 stars signified the states which joined the Confederacy during the Civil War.
The Army of the Potomac was one of the main Union armies during the American Civil War. The army used a number of flags during the war. One of the most popular flags of the Army of the Potomac featured a bright red field. On the field was an eagle perched on a laurel wreath. This iconic flag is often used to signify the Army of the Potomac although many historians contest whether the flag was actually used by the army.
The Jack of the United States is a flag used by the U.S. navy. The design of the jack flag has evolved over history, with many major changes made to it. The original jack simply featured red and white stripes. Then a different design was adopted with a dark blue field and white five-pointed stars over it.
The stars represented the states. As the number of states increased, the number of stars on the jack increased. Today, the Jack of the United States features 50 stars on its design.