America Turned Upside Down
Flags & Their Histories
BETSY ROSS FLAG
Sewn by Betsy Ross in 1777, the flag with the circle of stars and rebellious red and white stripes is a symbol of our War for Independence and the young American Republic. The FBI has determined also to be a symbol of "militant violent extremism."
BENNINGTON FLAG
Claimed by one historian to be the oldest stars and stripes and the first to be raised in victory over the British, this flag waved proudly at the Battle of Bennington in 1777. It has not been blacklisted by the FBI yet.
GASDSDEN FLAG
Designed by Christopher Gadsden in 1775, the timber rattlesnake had 13 rattles, one for each of the Colonies. This motto flag was used by Continental Marines. This flag has also been deemed a symbol of "militant violent extremism" by the FBI.
RATTLESNAKE FLAG
Although used by many organizations during the War for Independence, this flag was popular with the American Navy as early as 1776. Captain John Paul Jones may have used this ensign on his ship. The FBI has not yet put this flag on its list of domestic terrorist symbols.
JOIN OR DIE, THE SONS OF LIBERTY FLAG
This flag derived from a political cartoon attributed to Benjamin Franklin, ca. 1754. Franklin's message is obvious. The timber rattlesnake cut into 13 pieces represents the original colonies is on a background of rebellious red and white stripes. Interestingly, this banner has not been blacklisted by the FBI either.
GONZALES BATTLE FLAG
In early 1831, a small cannon was sent to the colony of Gonzales by an official in Bexar. At the minor Battle of Gonzales, the first of the Texas Revolution, on 2 October 1835 Texans defended their blockhouse and the cannon from Mexican forces. Their symbol of defiance was the flag seen here. The FBI has determined that this flag is a symbol of "militant violent extremism."