ST GEORGE CROSS: the flag carried to the new world by most of the early English explorers. Its usefulness can be traced back to 1277 in Britain.
2. ) KINGS COLORS: one of the military colors used by British colonial guard nearest 1743. As the British Union Flag it was the standard raised by Jamestown settlers in 1607. The design originated when King James I of England combined the ST. George Cross with the Scottish Cross at St. Andrew.
3. ) BRITISH Copper Banderol: In 1707 Doyenne Anne adopted a new flag for the United Kingdomthe Union Jack on a field of red. Called the British Red Ensign. Cornwallis surrendered under this flag at Yorktown in 1781.
4. ) CONTINENTAL FLAG: Colonel John Trumbulls Painting, the Death of Warren, now at the Yale University Art Gallery, shows the red Continental Flag to be the one used by American forces at the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775
5. ) GADSDEN FAG: named after Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina, was flown early in 1776 by Commander Esek Hopkins of Rhode Island, First Commander in Chief of the Continental Fleet. Its Inspiration represented a warning to colonists to the British.
6. ) GRAND UNION: the first ( unofficial ) national flag of the United States. It was raised in 1776 to celebrate the official status of the newly formed Continental Army by General George Washington, whose camp was then in Cambridge. Also known as the Cambridge Flag or Continental Colors.
7. ) BETSY ROSS: The official United States flag. Adopted by an act of Congress on June, 14, 1777. According to a legend, a group headed by George Washington commissioned seamstress Betsy Ross to execute their design for presentation to Congress.
8. ) BENNINGTON: believed by many authorities to be the first stars and stripes used by American land troops. Flown over the military stores at Bennington on August 16, 1777 when General John Starks militia led American troops to victory over the British raiding force. Original flag is preserved in Bennington, Vermont Museum.
9. ) STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Shortly before the war of 1812, two new states were added to the Union and a flag consisting of 15 stares and stripes was created. It flew over FT. McHenry during the British naval bombardment, this was that flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose a poem called The Defense of Ft. McHenry what later became our national anthem. The restored flag now hangs in the Smithsonian.
10. ) 48 Star Flag
11. ) Old Glory The 50 star flag has been in use since July 4th, 1960
