Gold Ridge American Revolution Links

The American Revolution

This is a picture of Gen. George Washington

A Journey Towards Freedom

America's Story

Battle of Trenton

The Battle of Trenton

The American Revolution

Think quest Revolutionary War

Three Cheers for the Red White & Blue

Biographies of the Founding Fathers

Women of the Revolution

America's Freedom Documents

American Revolution Chart

Spy Letters of the Revolution

Historic Valley Forge

Revolution Time Line

Liberty - PBS

The History Place - Revolution

Virtual Revolution

The Road to Revolution Game

History of the American Flag

The Liberty Bell

Biographies of the Revolutionary War

Betsy Ross

POTUS - George Washington

Revolutionary War Biographies

Biographies of the Revolutioary War

FLAGS OF THE REVOLUTION

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.

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.

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.