Historical American Flags Worth Knowing Before the Fourth of July: Betsy Ross, Bennington, and More

The 50-star flag flying on porches and flagpoles today is the 27th official version of the American flag. Before it, there were dozens of designs, each tied to a moment in the country's history. Some became iconic. Others faded into obscurity. If you are planning a Fourth of July display or just want to understand the flags that came before, these are the ones worth knowing.

Why Historical Flags Still Matter Today

Historical flags are more than collector's items. They tell the story of how the country grew, state by state, conflict by conflict. Flying a historical flag alongside the current American flag on the Fourth of July is a way to connect the celebration back to its origins. It also sparks conversations. Most people recognize the Betsy Ross flag but could not tell you the difference between it and the Bennington flag without looking closely.

For businesses, schools, and community organizations planning patriotic displays, historical flags add depth and variety to a setup that might otherwise be rows of the same flag. Colonial Flag carries a range of historical and specialty flags for exactly this purpose.

The Grand Union Flag (1775)

The Grand Union Flag, also called the Continental Colors, is widely considered the first national flag of the United States. It was raised by George Washington's troops on January 1, 1776, at Prospect Hill in Massachusetts. The design combined 13 red and white stripes (representing the colonies) with the British Union Jack in the canton. It was a transitional flag, signaling independence from British rule while still acknowledging the colonies' origins.

The Grand Union Flag was never formally adopted by the Continental Congress, and it was replaced relatively quickly once independence was declared. Still, it holds a unique place as the flag that bridged the colonial and revolutionary periods.

The Betsy Ross Flag (1776)

The Betsy Ross flag is the most recognizable historical American flag. Its 13 stars arranged in a circle on a blue canton, paired with 13 red and white stripes, have become a symbol of the country's founding. The traditional story credits Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, with sewing the first version at the request of George Washington in 1776.

Historians debate the accuracy of that story. The claim was first made publicly by Ross's grandson in 1870, nearly a century after the events. Whether or not Ross sewed the original, the design itself became the template for every American flag that followed. The circular star arrangement distinguishes it from the later Bennington flag, which arranged its stars in a different pattern.

The Bennington Flag (1777)

The Bennington flag is believed to have been carried at the Battle of Bennington in 1777, one of the turning points leading to the British surrender at Saratoga. It features 13 stars arranged in an arch pattern (sometimes called a "76" pattern because a large "76" appears in the canton of many reproductions) and 13 stripes. The stripes begin and end with white, which is the opposite of the current flag.

The original Bennington flag is one of the oldest surviving American flags and is on display at the Bennington Museum in Vermont. It is a popular choice for Fourth of July displays because of its direct connection to the Revolutionary War.

The Gadsden Flag (1775)

The Gadsden flag features a coiled rattlesnake on a bright yellow background with the words "Don't Tread on Me" below. It was designed by Christopher Gadsden, a delegate to the Continental Congress and a brigadier general in the Continental Army. The flag was first used by the Continental Marines during the earliest naval engagements of the Revolutionary War.

The rattlesnake was a popular symbol in the colonies, representing vigilance and a willingness to defend. Benjamin Franklin had used the rattlesnake motif earlier in his "Join, or Die" political cartoon. The Gadsden flag has remained one of the most widely recognized Revolutionary-era designs and is still flown today.

The Star-Spangled Banner (1814)

The flag that inspired the national anthem had 15 stars and 15 stripes, reflecting the addition of Vermont and Kentucky to the union. It flew over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814. Francis Scott Key watched the battle from a ship in the harbor and wrote the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner" after seeing the flag still flying at dawn.

The original flag, measuring 30 by 42 feet, is preserved at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The 15-stripe design was eventually abandoned because adding a stripe for every new state would have made the flag unwieldy. In 1818, Congress passed a law fixing the number of stripes at 13 and adding a star for each new state.

The 48-Star Flag (1912 to 1959)

The 48-star flag flew for 47 years, the longest run of any version of the American flag. It was adopted after New Mexico and Arizona became states in 1912 and served through both World Wars, the Korean War, and the early Cold War. Many veterans and their families associate this flag with some of the most significant moments in American military history.

The 48-star flag was replaced by the 49-star flag in 1959 when Alaska joined the union, and then by the current 50-star flag in 1960 when Hawaii became a state. It remains a popular flag for historical displays and veteran ceremonies.

How To Display Historical Flags

When flying a historical flag alongside the current 50-star American flag, the current flag should always be in the position of honor. On a single pole, the American flag goes on top. On separate poles, the American flag should be to its own right (the viewer's left) and at equal or greater height. These rules are outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.

Historical flags look particularly striking on commercial flagpoles at businesses, schools, and government buildings where multiple poles allow for a full timeline display. For home use, rotating a different historical flag each week leading up to the Fourth of July is a creative way to showcase the country's flag history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are historical flags still legal to fly?

Yes. There are no federal laws prohibiting the display of historical American flags. They can be flown on private property at any time, though the current 50-star flag should take the position of honor when displayed together.

Where can you buy historical American flags?

Colonial Flag carries a selection of historical and specialty flags. You can also order custom reproductions for specific designs not available in standard inventory.

What is the oldest surviving American flag?

The Bennington flag, believed to date to 1777, is one of the oldest. The Star-Spangled Banner from 1814 is the most famous surviving flag and is on display at the Smithsonian.

Fly a Piece of History This Fourth

Adding a historical flag to your Fourth of July display connects the celebration to the events that made it possible. Browse the full selection of American flags and custom products at Colonial Flag to build a display that tells the whole story.