Historic
historic
Alamo Nylon Outdoor Flags
1836 Alamo, Texas. A flag of the Texas Revolution against the regime of Mexico President Santa Anna who had repealed the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Based on the Mexico tri-color federal flag, replacing the eagle emblem with "1824". The Battle of the Alamo actually occurred near the end of the Revolution, winter of 1836 as part of an attempt to restore the Constitution of 1824. /Asset/alamo.jpg Historic Nylon Bedford Flags
1775. Carried at Concord, Massachusetts. The (historic) Bedford Flag is about 2½ feet square, handmade of red silk damask. The design is hand painted on both sides of the flag in silver and gold leaf. Extending from a cloud is an armor-clad arm holding a sword, with three cannon balls in the background. In a scroll is the motto VINVE AUT MORIRE (Conquer or die). On the reverse side, the motto begins at the bottom and the sword is in front of the scroll. The Bedford Flag is the oldest existing flag in the United States, the second oldest in the western hemisphere and the only flag carried by the Minutemen at the battle of the North Bridge in Concord on April 19, 1775. It was used as a standard of the Massachusetts Bay cavalry Troop for over 100 years and had seen service in the Indian Wars many times before that great day at the bridge. In 1659, when the cavalry troop was organized, arrangements were made for a proper emblem. The flag was probably made in England for the Massachusetts Bay Colony sometime between 1660 and 1670. Records of the order for the flag, and a description of the proposed emblem, are in the British Museum. (ref; bedfordminutemencompany.org) /Asset/bedford.jpg Bennington 76 Fully Sewn Cotton Flags
(7) The Bennington "76" is a version of the United States flag from the American Revolution era and associated with the Battle of Bennington, VT. However, the Bennington was not an official American flag. The design contains the 13 stars and 13 stripes with the numerals "76" appearing in the blue field. The stars are seven points, and the stripes are reversed from other USA flags, with the white stripes being on the outside rather than the red stripes. /Asset/bennington.jpg Betsy Ross Fully Sewn Cotton Flags
(7) The Betsy Ross flag is an early design of the United States flag from the American Revolution. The design is attributed to Betsy Ross of Philadelphia, and uses the alternating red-and-white stripe field from the Grand Union flag, with thirteen five-pointed stars in a blue canton on the hoist side representing the 13 original colonies. The distinctive feature is the arrangement of the 13 stars in a circle. Although the Betsy Ross story is accepted by most Americans, it was not an official U.S.A. flag and most flag historians do not accept the design as the first American flag. /Asset/betsyross.jpg Historic British Red Ensign Outdoor Nylon Flags
(2) 1707 - 1801 The historic British Red Ensign became the civil ensign of both England and Scotland in 1707, prior to the 1801 Act of Union which made Ireland part of the United Kingdom. The flag consists of the King's Colors pre-1801 Union Jack in the upper hoist on a red field. Earliest use of a Red Ensign by the Royal Navy dates to the early 1600's. In its modern form, the Red Ensign dates from the change to the Union and is in the care of the merchant service. Any vessel registered in the UK, Crown Dependency or UK Overseas Territory, is a "British ship" and is entitled to fly the Red Ensign flag. (ref; dft.gov.uk, Maritime and Coast Guard Agency of the UK). See also (ref; redensigngroup.org) /Asset/britishredensign.jpg Historic Bunker Hill Outdoor Nylon Flags
1775 - Bunker Hill Battle, Massachusetts. The flag consists of green pine tree on a red / white St George Cross upper hoist canton on a blue field. The flag is commonly and commercially used to represent the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. That the flag ever existed is debatable; many authorities believe the red New England (Continental) flag was flown, and the blue flag was created by accident when a painter misread color codes in an engraving. /Asset/bunkerhill.jpg California 1846 Outdoor Nylon Flags
1846. The California Republic 1846 Bear Flag was raised on June 14, 1846 on the plaza in the center of Sonoma. It is the precursor to the current California State flag. The design of the flag consisted of a star closest to the hoist, a silhouette of a grizzly bear to the immediate right, with the words "CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC" spelled underneath and a red band across the bottom. The flag was hastily created for a rebellion of American settlers against General Mariano Vallejo and California's Mexican government. In June 1846 the Bear Flag Revolt took place. With advice from Captain John C. Fremont, the settlers took Sonoma. On 16 June the Americans occupied Sutter's Fort and proclaimed an independent Republic of California. Fremont was coordinating his efforts with Commander John B. Montgomery of the U.S.S. Portsmouth now lying offshore in San Francisco Bay. Commodore John D. Sloat of the U.S. Navy's Pacific squadron ordered Montgomery to take San Francisco, and he sent word to Fremont to report to him. Sloat seized Monterey on 7 July, and prepared to join forces with Fremont to take the rest of California. When the American flag flew over Sutter's Fort a few days later, the Bear Flag Revolt ended as quickly as it started. (ref: history.army.mil, subjects: Fremont Expeditions, War with Mexico) The "Bear Flag" in Sonoma was lowered on July 11, 1846. The flag was created by William L. Todd who painted, on a piece of brown cotton, a yard and a half or so in length, with old red or brown paint that he happened to find, what he intended to be a representation of a grizzly bear. This was raised to the top of the staff, some seventy feet from the ground. Native Californians looking up at it were heard to say "Coche", the common name among them for pig or shoat. (ref; sfmuseum.net) /Asset/californiarep.jpg Historic Commodore Perry Outdoor Nylon Flags
1813. The first Commodore Perry flag is a historical Navy flag flown at the Battle of Lake Erie (September 1813) during the War of 1812. The banner is navy blue and reads "Don't Give Up The Ship" in white lettering and was made by a group of women in Erie, PA. The slogan came from the last words of Captain James Lawrence, who spoke them as he lay dying on his ship in battle on June 1, 1813. Commodore Perry’s flagship, the USS Lawrence, part of the "Fleet Built in the Wilderness", bore the Captains name and carried the flag with his words. The USS Lawrence was lost in battle, but Commodore Perry brought the banner with him as he left the sinking ship, and raised it again on the USS Niagara. Against the odds, he defeated the British squadron, which had him outgunned. Perry's victory was the turning point in the War of 1812, which ended on Christmas Eve, December 12, 1814, with the Treaty of Ghent. The original flag is preserved at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. (ref; history.navy.mil, Navy Department Library, Battle of Lake Erie, Building the Fleet in the Wilderness) /Asset/commodoreperry.jpg Historic Continental Outdoor Nylon Flags
(2) 1775. The flag consists of a green pine tree on a white canton, upper hoist, placed on a red field. The flag was one of the series of New England Battle flags or Pine Tree flags, and is believed to be the flag carried by colonial forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill at Charlestown, Massachusetts on June 17, 1775. The battle actually took place on Breed's Hill adjacent to Bunker Hill. This was a New England colonial flag minus either the England St. George Cross or the King's Colors British Emblem in the canton. The flag is depicted in a famous painting by John Trumbell of "The Battle of Bunker Hill, " painted in 1786, after the Revolutionary War was over. John Trumbull served in the Continental Army from 1775 to 1777 and watched the Bunker Hill Battle from an adjacent colonial army camp. He became known later for his images of the Revolutionary War. (ref; yale.edu, Yale University Art Gallery) /Asset/continental.jpg Historic Cowpens Outdoor Nylon Flags
1781. Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina. The Cowpens flag was the flag purportedly carried by the 3rd Maryland Regiment, which along with regiments from Virginia and Georgia successfully battled British forces near Cowpens, South Carolina. The Battle was a key victory and turning point for American forces in the Southern Colonies. The flag is a 13 stars and stripes American flag, 13 alternating red and white stripes, with 13 white stars on the blue canton. The stars are arranged 12 in a circle with one single star in the center. It is one of several "Stripes and Stars" designs used during the Revolution and fitting the requirement of the Congressional Flag Resolution of 1777. The Cowpens flag is featured in the famous painting "Spirit of '76", though its actual appearance at the Battle of Cowpens is doubted by historians. /Asset/cowpens.jpg Culpeper Minutemen Nylon Flags
1775. A historic American Revolution rattlesnake flag of Virginia, with lines of text inscribed "Liberty or Death" and "DONT TREAD ON ME" in black on a white field. This is the banner of the Culpeper Minute-Men, a self equipped militia from Virginia formed in July 1775, which fought against the British in the American Revolution. Like the Gadsden Flag and the First Navy Jack, it contains a Timber Rattlesnake with the words, "Don’t Tread on Me", however on a white banner. It also contains the words of their commander, Patrick Henry, whose famous slogan "Liberty or Death" inspired many Colonial Forces to fight. The Minute Men took part in the Battle of Great Bridge, the first Revolutionary battle on Virginia soil. In October of 1776 the unit was dissolved as it was absorbed into the Continental Army. /Asset/culpepper.jpg Fleur de Lis Outdoor Nylon Flags
(3) Royal Banner of France (1534 to 1763) Three gold fleur-de-lis on a dark blue field, arranged two above, one centered below was the most commonly used flag in New France (French Canada). French military flags, including the plain white banner of the royal navy were also flown. /Asset/fleurdelis3blue.jpg Historic Grand Union Outdoor Nylon Flags
(2) 1775-1777. The Grand Union, also known as the Cambridge Flag or the Continental Colors, consists of a field of thirteen alternating red and white stripes with the King’s Colors in the upper hoist canton (a variation of the British Red Ensign). The earliest recorded use has the flag hoisted by John Paul Jones on the USS Alfred in December of 1775. It was first raised on land by General Washington at his headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts on January 2, 1776. It continued to be the unofficial flag of the country, as both a naval ensign and the Continental Army colors until replaced by the official Stars and Stripes (First Navy Stars and Stripes) by an Act of the Continental Congress, June 14, 1777. /Asset/grandunion.jpg First Navy Jack Outdoor Nylon Flags
(5) 1776. The image of the rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me" had associations with the Continental Navy. On 27 February 1777, a group of Continental Navy officers proposed that the full dress uniform of Continental Navy captains include a gold epaulet on the right shoulder with "the figure of a Rattle Snake Embroidered on the Strap...with the motto don't tread on me." In early 1776 Commodore Esek Hopkins, the first and only commander in chief of the Continental Navy fleet, used a personal standard designed by Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina. This flag consisted of a yellow field with a coiled snake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me" and is usually referred to as "the Gadsden flag." The only written description of the Continental Navy jack contemporary with the American Revolution appears in Commodore Hopkins's "Signals for the American Fleet, " January 1776, where it is described as "the strip'd jack." No document says that the jack had a rattlesnake or motto on it. Elsewhere, Hopkins mentions using a "striped flag" as a signal. Since American merchant ships often displayed a simple red and white striped flag, there is a good chance that the striped jack to which Hopkins refers was the plain, striped flag used by American merchant ships. As part of the commemoration of the bicentennial of the American Revolution, by an instruction dated 1 August 1975 (SECNAV Instruction 10520.3) the Secretary of the Navy directed the use of the rattlesnake jack in place of the union jack (blue field with white stars) during the period 13 October 1975 (the bicentennial of the legislation that created the Continental Navy, which the Navy recognizes as the Navy's birthday), and 31 December 1976. By an instruction dated 18 August 1980 (SECNAV Instruction 10520.4), the Secretary of the Navy directed that the commissioned ship in active status having the longest total period in active status to display the rattlesnake jack in place of the union jack until decommissioned or transferred to inactive status. The Secretary of the Navy also directed the use of the rattlesnake jack in place of the union jack for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism. (ref; history.navy.mil, Naval History and Heritage Command, The U.S. Navy's First Jack) /Asset/firstnavyjack.jpg First Navy Stars and Stripes Outdoor Nylon Flags
(3) 1777-1795. 13 stars, first official flag of the United States. Adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The resolution read: "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation." The first Navy Stars and Stripes had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other Stars and Stripes flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five and four. Some stars had six points while others had eight. Strong evidence indicates that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was responsible for the stars in the U.S. flag. At the time that the flag resolution was adopted, Hopkinson was the Chairman of the Continental Navy Board's Middle Department. Hopkinson also helped design other devices for the Government including the Great Seal of the United States. (ref; publications.gov, The History of the Stars and Stripes. On 4 July 1777, the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Captain John Paul Jones hoisted the stars and stripes flag on board his own command, the Continental Navy ship Ranger, then in Boston Harbor fitting out for a cruise against the enemies of the Scottish born Jones’s adopted country. On 14 February 1778, seven months after first hoisting the stars and stripes aboard Ranger, Jones exchanged salutes with a French fleet’s flagship in Quiberon Bay, France. On 6 February the French king had secretly signed treaties of commerce and of alliance with the United States. The exchange of salutes in Quiberon Bay was the first official public act of recognition of the flag of the United States as an independent nation by another sovereign country. (ref; navalhistory.org, John Paul Jones Hoists First Stars and Stripes Flag 4 July 1777) /Asset/usa13star.jpg Historic Fort Moultrie Outdoor Nylon Flags
1775-1776 South Carolina. The Fort Moultrie flag consists of a blue field with a crescent white moon on the upper hoist and the word "LIBERTY" spelled across the bottom of the flag. The original flag may have had the word "Liberty" written in the crescent, and not along the bottom. The flag was designed in 1775 by Colonel William Moultrie to prepare for war with Britain. In June of 1776 it was flown during the successful defense of Sullivan's Island fortifications at Charleston harbor against the British fleet. It was the first loss by the British at sea in the Revolution. The flag was the first American flag displayed in the Southern colonies and it became the banner of the South Carolina Militia. The fort at Sullivan's Island was also then named for Col. Moultrie. /Asset/fortmoultrie.jpg Gadsden Nylon Flags
(6) 1775-1776 South Carolina. The Gadsden Flag is the yellow rattlesnake flag of the American Revolution. By the time of the War of Independence, the rattlesnake, frequently used in conjunction with the motto "Don't Tread on Me, " was a common symbol for the United States, its independent spirit, and its resistance to tyranny. The flag is named after an American colonel, Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina, who designed it. Journal of the South Carolina Provincial Congress, 9 February 1776: "Col. Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander in chief of the American navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattle-snake in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and these words underneath, "DON'T TREAD ON ME!" John Jay to Alexander McDougall, 23 March 1776: "As to continental Colors, the Congress have made no order as yet respecting them, and I believe the Captains of their armed Vessels have in that particular been directed by their own fancies and Inclinations. I remember to have seen a flag designed for one of them on which was extremely well painted a Rattle Snake rearing his Crest and shaking his Rattles, with this Motto "Don't tread on me". But whether this Device was generally adopted by the fleet, I am not able to say. I rather think it was not." (ref; history.navy.mil Naval History and Heritage Command, The U.S. Navy's First Jack) /Asset/gadsden.jpg General Fremont Outdoor Nylon Flags
1841. General John Charles Fremont, also referred to as the "Pathfinder", first unfurled the Fremont flag on the crest of the Rocky Mountains on his First Expedition westward into United States territory on August 15, 1842. [Note: John C. Fremont carried the rank of Captain, not General on the first two expeditions.] His wife, Jessie Benton Fremont designed and made a flag incorporating elements of the national flag with a distinctive motif (the eagle’s talon holds a peace pipe instead of the traditional olive branch). The flag was carried on three expeditions through 1846. The flag was donated to the Southwest Museum by Fremont’s daughter, Elizabeth, on May 3, 1905. The actual flag is sewn cotton and painted with red and black. (ref: the autry.org, Southwestern Museum of the American Indian Collection, Autry National Center, Los Angeles) /Asset/generalfremont.jpg Gonzales Banner Nylon Flags
(4) 1835. The "Come and Take It" flag was first used as a symbol of defiance by Texan settlers at the Battle of Gonzales in October of 1835, a minor battle considered to be the opening shot fired in the Texas Revolution against the government of Mexico. The cannon had originally been provided by Mexico as defense of their own colony in 1831. The Mexican military failed in their attempt to recover the cannon. In the February of 1836, Mexican forces returned and inflicted a devastating loss on the Texans at the Battle of Alamo. (The iconic Alamo flag is a variation of the Mexican flag and is associated with a demand for protecting American settler rights outlined in the Mexican Constitution of 1824). The "Come and Take It" slogan was used during the American Revolution and recognized a written response to British forces demanding surrender of Ft. Morris, south of Savannah, Georgia in November 1778. "As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply: COME AND TAKE IT!". No cannon flag was associated at this time. The British withdrew at that time, but the fort succumbed to a larger British force several months later. /Asset/gonzales.jpg Historic Green Mountain Boys Outdoor Nylon Flags
1770's. A flag purported to have been carried by Vermont militia members in the 1770's. The flag is a green field flag with 13 unevenly spaced white stars on a blue canton on the upper hoist, remnants in the Bennington Vermont museum. The Green Mountain Boys were a group of a several hundred American patriots in the late 1700's that would later be considered the founding fathers of the state of Vermont. They included men from Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut that held land titles from New Hampshire which entitled them to land between Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River, now modern day Vermont. The group gathered and joined together to keep New York settlers out of Vermont, and defend New Hampshire titles from New York claims. When the American Revolution started in 1775 the Green Mountain Boys attacked and captured Fort Ticonderoga, a British held fort on Lake Champlain. This was America’s first victory in the war. (ref; sec.vt.us) /Asset/greenmountainboys.jpg Historic Guilford Courthouse Outdoor Nylon Flags
1781. The Guilford Courthouse flag consists of 13 blue stars on a white field and 13 alternating blue and red stripes. It is the regimental flag of the Granville County, NC militia and considered a militia banner, not an official USA flag. It is associated with the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina. On March 15, 1781, 4, 400 American Continental Army soldiers and militiamen under Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene defended Guilford Courthouse against the British Army led by Lord Cornwallis. The original flag has been preserved since 1914 in the North Carolina Museum of History, though its creator and actual use in battle is undetermined. (ref; inssar.org, Guilford Historic flag) /Asset/guilfordcourthouse.jpg Historic King's Colors Outdoor Nylon Flags
(2) 1606-1801. Union of the England St George Cross and the St Andrew Cross of Scotland. The early flag of England was the red cross of St. George only on a white field and for Scotland it was the white cross of St. Andrew on a blue field. In 1603 England and Scotland were united under King James I. In 1606 the two flags were joined together by proclamation, with the cross of St. George superimposed over the Scottish flag. Additionally, the red cross of St. George was bordered with white. The new flag was called either the King’s Colors or the Union Flag and was for use at sea in civil and military ships of both Scotland and England. In 1634 its use was largely restricted to the King's ships. The American colonies were ruled under the King's colors until the Revolutionary War. /Asset/britishunion.jpg Historic Lord Baltimore Outdoor Nylon Flags
1622-1776 Maryland. The Lord Baltimore flag consists of the black and gold arms of the Lords Baltimore, colonial proprietors of Maryland. George Calvert was the First Baron of Baltimore, a town in Ireland and also a grant holder in Newfoundland. The Maryland grant was requested of King Charles I of England, but granted posthumously in 1622 to his son Cecil Calvert. The Calverts were Roman Catholic and the colony of Maryland was based on the ideas of freedom of religion and separation of church and state. This flag was used to represent Maryland from the 1600's until the Revolutionary War. The State of Maryland adopted a state flag in 1904 which incorporates the Calvert family colors in two quadrants. /Asset/lordbaltimore.jpg Historic Mexico Empire Outdoor Nylon Flags
1821-1823. AKA Texas under Mexico and one of the six flags of Texas, also flown over California and parts of present southwestern U.S.A.. The flag of the first independent government of Mexico preceding the establishment of the Mexican Republic. /Asset/txundermexico.jpg Philadelphia Light Horse Troop Outdoor Nylon Flags
1774. The flag is a yellow field with 13 blue and silver stripes painted on the upper hoist canton. The original version probably had a Kings Colors canton. Flags of that time were often hand painted designs. Modern versions are digitally printed on nylon. In the center of the flag is a blue shield bearing a golden knot from which radiate thirteen golden scrolls like the ends of as many strips of ribbon, a very early example of the idea expressed by the motto: "E pluribus Unum". The head of a bay horse bearing a white star on his forehead appears as a crest, while as supporters are "a Continental masquerading as an Indian", holding a golden staff surmounted by a liberty cap, and an angel with a staff in one hand and a golden trumpet in the other. These figures symbolize liberty and fame. Beneath on a ribbon is the motto: "For these we strive", and over the crest appears the cipher letters "L.H." (ref; Society of Sons of the Revolution, New Jersey) The Light Horse Troop of Philadelphia (later name The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry) was a volunteer cavalry troop organized in 1774, offering their services to the Continental Congress defense of the colonies. Today the Troop is the oldest mounted military unit and possibly the oldest military unit of any kind in continuous service to the country. They fought along side the Continental Army at the Battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and Germantown. It is the oldest continuously serving unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. (ref; ftpcc.com - First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry) /Asset/philadelphialighthorse.jpg Historic Pine Tree Outdoor Nylon Flags
1686-1778. A number of Pine Tree flags were used by the New England and Massachusetts colonies between 1686 and 1778. Early pine tree flags were carried in the late 1600's by New England colonial merchant ships whose masts were made from pine trees. The Pine Tree became a popular symbol of New England and American independence. The symbol appeared on the Continental flag carried at Bunker Hill and the Pine Tree emblem is integral to the "Appeal To Heaven" (Washington's Cruisers) flag. It was also adopted as the emblem on the Massachusetts naval ensign in 1776 and appears on the flags of both Vermont and Maine. /Asset/pinetree.jpg Rhode Island Regiment Outdoor Nylon Flags
1777-1783. The Rhode Island regiment flag is a white flag with a blue canton on the upper hoist containing 13 gold stars. On the field in blue, is a blue anchor and rope emblem with a blue banner above, the word "HOPE" spelled on the banner. The Rhode Island Regiment (1st and 2nd) was part of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It was noted to enlist African American slaves who were promised freedom after their service; plus free blacks, Indians and whites, and sometimes referred to as the "Black Regiment". The owners of the slaves were compensated by the Rhode Island colony. The unit was disbanded after 1783. (ref; rhodeislandsar.org Sons of the American Revolution) /Asset/riregiment.jpg Serapis Outdoor Nylon Flags
1778. The Serapis flag aka "John Paul Jones" flag is identified by 13 eight-pointed stars arranged in three rows and four blue stripes within the 13 stripes. It did not meet the standards set by Congress in the 1777 Flag Act and so is considered an American ensign, not an official national flag. The flag was named for the HMS Serapis, which John Paul Jones, captain of the USS Bonhomme Richard captured, 23 Sep 1779, off the coast of the United Kingdom in the Battle of Flamborough Head. At one point in the battle, the Richard's colors were shot down from the mast. "Striking the colors" is a sign of surrender, and Captain Richard Pearson of the Serapis asked Jones if he intended to surrender. Though outgunned, Jones gave his famous reply, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Jones ordered the Richard to be lashed to the Serapis, and the ships' cannons and crews exchanged fire until the Serapis was forced to surrender. The Bonhomme Richard was heavily damaged and sank. Jones sailed his prize, the battle-damaged Serapis, to the Dutch port of Texel, where the British ambassador accused him of piracy, since he sailed a captured ship without flying a recognized national ensign. An ensign was quickly constructed, based on a year-old description written by Benjamin Franklin, US ambassador to France. Dutch officials secretly added a sketch of the ensign into their records, so that when the books were checked the next day, the ensign flying from the Serapis was officially recognized. /Asset/serapis.jpg Russian American Company Nylon Flags
1799-1842. Flag of the Russian American Company, a trading monopoly that established colonies primarily in California and Alaska during the 19th century. A civil ensign variation of the flag of Russia imperial flag containing a double-headed eagle symbol of the company. /Asset/russiaamerican.jpg Cross of Burgundy (Spanish Cross) Outdoor Nylon Flags
(2) 1506-1785 - Historic Spanish military flag. The Spanish Cross flag (Cross of Burgundy dating from the late Middle Ages) has the serrated or roughened red saltire of St. Andrew centered on a white field. The flag was used by the Spanish crown and military. St. Andrew was the patron Saint of Burgundy and the emblem was introduced to Spain through marriage between the Duke of Burgundy and the daughter of King Ferdinand and Elizabeth of Castile and Aragon. Current versions of the flag continue to fly over the US Territory of Puerto Rico at the National Parks historic Spanish fortresses of Castillo San Cristo'bal and El Morro in old San Juan. /Asset/burgundycross.jpg Spanish Empire Outdoor Nylon Flags
1785-1931. Spanish Empire war ensign, 1843-1931 State and war flag. Also known as one of the Six Flags of Texas, the U.S. Gulf Coast and California under Spain. Precursor to the modern flag of Spain with the red, yellow and red stripes. The coat of arms are crowned, and divided, left side red with a tower, right side white with a lion. /Asset/txunderspain.jpg Spain Lions and Castles Outdoor Nylon Flags
1230-1516. A variant of the standard of the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon in Spain, united under King Ferdinand and used from 1230 until 1516. It was also a naval ensign during the same period. The flag consists of quartered arms, diagonally opposed of a red lion on a white field opposite a yellow castle on a red field. The Castle is the emblem of the Spanish province of Castile, and the Lion represents Leon. Columbus, Balboa and Ponce de Leon likely sailed under this flag, and carried it for their discoveries of the West Indies, Pacific Ocean and Florida. Magellan’s expedition likely carried the Cross of Burgundy banner sailing around the world. Cortez may have carried this flag during the conquest of Mexico. The Spanish Cross of Burgundy was also often carried by military expeditions beginning in 1506. /Asset/spanishlionscastles.jpg Star Spangled Banner Nylon Flags
(4) 1795-1818, 15 stars. The flag known as the Star Spangled Banner or War of 1812 flag, has 15 stars displayed in 5 rows of 3 each on the blue star field and 15 red and white stripes. This is the only stars and stripes flag that carried 15 stripes. It was this garrison sized stars and stripes that flew over Fort McHenry, Baltimore when defending against attack by British Navy ships on September 13, 1814. Francis Scott Key was detained on a British frigate and could only watch the defense of Fort McHenry as the battle continued overnight. At dawn he saw that the flag was still proudly waving and he was inspired to write the words for the "Star Spangled Banner", which later became the National Anthem of the U.S. This is also the flag carried by the American Navy and Marines in war against the Barbary Pirates and which they hoisted over the fort at Derne, Tripoli, on April 27, 1805. It was the same flag under which Commodore Perry won the battle of Lake Erie in September 1813, and General Andrew Jackson signaled victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans in January of 1815, the last major battle of the War of 1812. /Asset/usa15star.jpg Taunton Outdoor Nylon Flags
1774. The version in production today is the city flag as adopted by the City of Taunton, Massachusetts in 1974. The Tauten flag features a British King's Colors canton (upper hoist) on a red field. Large white lettering across the lower portion of the flag reads "LIBERTY AND UNION". The flag was raised in the town of Taunton, Massachusetts in 1774 as a symbol of colonial protest prior to the American Revolution. The flag was a warning to the British that the American Colonies wanted equal treatment as citizens of the British Empire. The words "Liberty and Union" called for the rights of English citizens (no taxation with representation) and a Colonial union to address their concerns. /Asset/taunton.jpg United States (U.S.) Historic Cavalry Guidon Shaped (Swallow Tai) Nylon Flags
1862-1885. A 35 star modified U.S. national colors guidon with gold stars. A replica of the guidons often associated with the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment led by General Custer. Similar to guidons carried by some cavalry units beginning during the Civil War and lasting through the Indian Wars. /Asset/uscavalry.jpg Washington's Commander in Chief Outdoor Nylon Flags
The Washington Commander in Chief flag, personal position standard of General George Washington, consists of 13 six pointed white stars on a blue field, three rows of three stars and 2 rows of two stars. The points of the stars on the original flag are not all pointing in the same direction. The original flag was also closer to square than rectangular, 27 1/2 inches by 35-1/2 inches, similar to a US Navy Jack. The date(s) of the original flag are not certain; somewhere between 1777 and 1784. /Asset/washingtoncic.jpg Washington's Cruisers Outdoor Nylon Flags
1775-1776. The pine tree flag and the motto "An Appeal to God, " or, more usually, "An Appeal to Heaven" written above and was used (and officially adopted by) Massachusetts' state navy vessels and Massachusetts privateers, as well as by the schooners sailing out of Massachusetts ports under George Washington's authority as commander in chief of the Continental Army. The Massachusetts General Court established the flag of the state navy on 26 July 1776: "that the Colors be a white Flagg, with a green Pine Tree, and an Inscription, "Appeal to Heaven.'" (ref; history.navy.mil, US Navy's First Jack) /Asset/washingtoncruisers.jpg 