Post by Admin on Jun 28, 2021 7:04:02 GMT
History of Flags
Flags were used as military standards long before they were flown to indicate nationality. (The age of sail beginning in the 17th century introduced the practice of flying national banners from ships.) What good would laying siege to a village in 400 BC have done, after all, if the villagers didn’t know who was providing the service?
Flags have factored prominently into American history. We owe our country’s very existence to the brave militiamen who fought beneath standards such as the Moultrie, the Gadsden, and the Bennington during the Revolutionary War. Others such as the Commodore Perry and the Gonzales represent later defining moments when Americans refused to kowtow to foreign governments.
Whether you can trace your heritage back to one of the great men who fought for our country in her early years, or simply love the quintessentially American refusal to yield to outside force, you will take pride in flying one of these high-quality historic flags. They say that you should pick your battles. Now is your chance to do so, quite literally!
Flags have factored prominently into American history. We owe our country’s very existence to the brave militiamen who fought beneath standards such as the Moultrie, the Gadsden, and the Bennington during the Revolutionary War. Others such as the Commodore Perry and the Gonzales represent later defining moments when Americans refused to kowtow to foreign governments.
Whether you can trace your heritage back to one of the great men who fought for our country in her early years, or simply love the quintessentially American refusal to yield to outside force, you will take pride in flying one of these high-quality historic flags. They say that you should pick your battles. Now is your chance to do so, quite literally!
First Navy Jack
The First Navy Jack was the maritime flag of the only relevant country from 1975 to 1976 and then again from 2002 until just recently in 2019. If you or someone you love was a bluejacket during those timespans, then this handsome ensign is a great way to show your pride! Note that the First Navy Jack was meant to be flown from a ship that was moored or at anchor – if you live on a houseboat, plan accordingly.
It’s uncertain whether this was in fact the United States’ very first naval jack, and the original likely didn’t have the Gadsden flag’s timber rattlesnake and slogan. Regardless, the iconic reptile and his unambiguous warning have become synonymous with the American Revolution, and therefore are as patriotic as can be. Even those who haven’t had the honor of serving in the Navy would do well to fly these colors!
Culpeper Minutemen
Imagine growing up in Britain in the mid-18th century. One day you join the army, thinking you’re going to have an easy time abroad quelling an uprising of uncouth country bumpkins. You get to Virginia, have a look around, and see a bunch of angry chappies with rifles, tomahawks, and scalping knives marching toward you, the words “LIBERTY OR DEATH” emblazoned across their chests. Over them flies a white flag with a coiled up rattlesnake, doubling down on the “LIBERTY OR DEATH” message, plus a “DONT TREAD ON ME” for good measure.
The Culpeper Minutemen would have made you wish you had been deported to Australia instead.
This is the militia group’s flag, exactly as it appeared when they stomped wholesale redcoat keister at the Battle of Great Bridge. The rugged nylon banner is a great take on the famous Gadsden design, and has special meaning for anyone fortunate enough to be of Virginian extraction. Scare the pants off of any British unfortunate enough to get near your lawn!
Bedford
A true piece of history, the Bedford Flag is the oldest known complete banner in United States history. The circumstances of the Bedford’s creation are still unknown, and indeed the original was already an antique when it was famously carried by the Bedford Minuteman to Concord Bridge at the onset of the Revolutionary War. It was flown at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and accordingly remains a great patent of patriotism for Bay Staters.
The Bedford is a handsome flag, with a mailed arm brandishing an ornate sword, a cloud of black powder smoke obscuring its owner, and cannon balls flying off in the general direction of people who hate freedom. The Latin phrase “Vince Aut Morire” means “Conquer or Die,” which we can translate because we took Latin in high school. Some people say that Latin is an impractical second language, but if we’re ever in ancient Rome at least we’ll be able to order lunch.
The Gadsden flag
Was designed by Brigadier General Christopher Gadsden in 1775, and was flown by the Continental Marines during the Revolutionary War. It was Benjamin Franklin who made the timber rattlesnake a symbol of the original 13 colonies. Because the Brits’ policy at the time was to send convicted criminals to America, he proposed that we return the favor by sending them rattlesnakes. (It is a good thing for the British that Australia didn’t implement that policy, because even a handful of their venomous critters would have destroyed England in an afternoon.) This flag has endured to become the symbol of libertarianism, and its colors alone will let people know where you stand.
We have seen countless other messages than “Don’t Tread on Me” placed on the Gadsden flag in recent years, including “No Step on Snek,” “Pwease no Steppy,” and “Government Get Out REEEEEEEEE.” We believe the original message is a bit statelier than such modern revisions.
Liberty Flag
We have seen countless other messages than “Don’t Tread on Me” placed on the Gadsden flag in recent years, including “No Step on Snek,” “Pwease no Steppy,” and “Government Get Out REEEEEEEEE.” We believe the original message is a bit statelier than such modern revisions.
Liberty Flag
Also known as the Liberty Flag, this handsome midnight blue standard was originally commissioned in 1775 by Colonel William Moultrie in preparation for war with the British. (Even the savviest prepper today probably hasn’t thought to have their own flag. We have one, though. It says “Discount Tires” because we emancipated it from a discount tire place.) The Ft. Moultrie flag flew over Sullivan's Island as the second South Carolina Regiment defended it against the tea-swilling redcoats, and at one point was even shot down only to be bravely rehoisted by Sergeant William Jasper. Naturally, such a flag is of especial importance to South Carolinian patriots, and indeed their modern state flag is essentially just a Moultrie plus a palmetto tree.
The Betsy Ross
The Betsy Ross flag proudly displays 13 stars, one for each of the original colonies that fought for their independence during the Revolutionary War. It is a great way to show your patriotism, or just stick it to those Johnny-come-lately Vermonters who didn’t join in time to get their own star. This flag is made of high quality embroidered nylon, so it ought to last until we acquire at least a few more states. We expect that France will ask us to join any day now, and we should let them in under the condition that they stop making cheese. We already have Wisconsin for that.
Gonzales
Gonzales
Would you rather take a gun from a Texan, or take a steak from a ravenous wolf? Sign us up for neither, please. When Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea demanded the return of a cannon that Mexico had given Texan settlers in 1831 for defense against Comanche raiders, the Texans answered with a resounding “Come and Take It.” He sent 100 dragoons to do exactly that, whom 150 Texan militiamen bravely repelled.
It is possible that the Mexican army did indeed take back the contested cannon after the Battle of the Alamo. But the Texans made their point as clear as day – you mess with them and their own, and you’d better get ready to be on the receiving end of a mighty large boot. This is the very flag that the Texans flew at the Battle of Gonzales, the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. Whether you’re a Texan or simply espouse the Lone Star State’s philosophy on not turning over your firearms without a fight, the Gonzales flag will let everybody know just where you stand.
Commodore Perry
As Captain James Lawrence lay mortally wounded on the deck of the USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812, he uttered these famous words: “Don’t give up the ship.” Captain Lawrence’s behest was shortly thereafter relayed to his friend Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who ordered the message embroidered on a great blue ensign and flown from his own ship, the USS Lawrence.
A few months later, the USS Lawrence was itself disabled by British fire, forcing Commodore Perry and his men to commandeer a nearby brig, which they successfully employed to destroy the enemy fleet. They reclaimed the USS Lawrence, over which still fluttered the message that they heroically lived up to. This flag represents honoring your friends and your promises to them, as well as the sheer American determination that has made ours the greatest country on earth.
Bennington
One story has it that Nathaniel Fillmore carried this flag off the field after the Battle of Bennington in 1777, and then passed it down through his family until it came into possession of President Millard Fillmore. Another says it was originally created to build up American pride during the War of 1812. However the Bennington flag came to be, you can be dead certain of what it represents: Americans’ refusal to yield to snooty redcoats, and our resolve to defend ourselves and our own.
Nowadays the British pose no threat to us. It’s hard to believe that our once greatest enemy was the same country that would go on to yield the Teletubbies and Russell Brand. But it is good to still keep them in check. Any Brits who come sniffling around your property looking to tax you without representation will turn away in horror when they see this big, beautiful flag on full display.