Flags of the American Revolution . . . Flags that flew during the American Revolution.

S A R Kansas City Alexander Majors Chapter

The background flag for all Alexander Majors web pages, the Betsy Ross flag, Stars & Stripes.

Where is the flag never flown at half staff? Answer: The Moon or in battle.

Learn the Flag Code. Title 36, from USFlag.org

Flag Etiquette or FAQ from Peterson's Flags

Grand Union Flag, 1775: The first flag of the colonists to have any resemblance to the Stars and Stripes was the Grand Union Flag, sometimes refered to as the Congress Colors, the First Navy Ensign, and the Cambridge Flag. Its design consisted of 13 stripes, alternately red and white, representing the Thirteen Colonies, with a blue field in the upper left-hand corner bearing the red cross of St. George of England with the white cross of St. Andrew of Scotland.

Grand Union 1775 or Continental Flag

Washington's Flag, 1775: Write up in progress.

Washington's Flag 1775

Betsy Ross Flag, 1776?: This flag did not appear until the 1790's, believed to be this country's first official flag. There is no proof that Betsy Ross made the first Stars and Stripes, however her grandson, William J. Canby, brought attention to the matter in a statement: ". . . but a little boy when I heard it . . . Colonel Ross with Robert Morris and General Washington, called on Mrs. Ross and told her they were a committee of Congress, and wanted her to make a flag from the drawing, a rough one, which upon her suggestions, was redrawn by General Washington in pencil in her back parlor. This was prior to the Declaration of Independence. I fix the date to be . . . June, 1776."

Elizabeth 'Betsy' Ross Flag, considered to be this country's first flag.

Continental Navy / Culpepper Flag: Writing in progress.

Continental Navy or Culpepper Flag

Bennington Flag, 1777 or 1826?: Originally believed to have been carried during the Revolution, this flag is now seen as having probably been made for the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1826. Its design is typical of the exuberant artistic expressions found in flags of the 19th century.

Bennington Flag of 1777 Beleived to be the 50th anniversary flag of 1826?

Serapis Flag, 1779: Writing in progress.

Serapis Flag, or John Paul Jones Flag.

Guilford Flag, 1781: Writing in progress.

Guilford Flag of 1781

15 Stars and Stripes: Writing in progress.

15 Stars & Stripes Kentucky & Vermont join.

Fort Moultrie Flag, 1776: South Carolinas defending Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor in 1776 raised one of the earliest flags of American liberty. The blue corresponded to their uniform, the silver crescent appeared as a badge worn on their caps. The cause for which they fought - liberty - was emlazoned on the crescent.

Fort Moultrie Flag 1776

Green Mountain Boys, 1777: General John Stark of New Hampshire commanded a militia brigade known as the :Green Mountani Boys." Tradition relates that its green flag was flown at the Battle of Bennignton on August 16, 1777. As in many American flags, the stars here were arranged in an arbitrary fasion. Nevertheless they signified the unity of the Thirteen Colonies in their struggle for independence.

Green Mountain Boys 1777 New Hampshire

Information source for most flags obtained from "Our Flag", S. Doc. 105-013, U.S. Printing Office, 1998.

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