SECOND FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
THE LONGEST LIST OF THE LONGEST
STUFF AT THE LONGEST DOMAIN NAME AT LONG LAST
What was the second flag of the United States?
The flag that is considered to be
the second flag of the United States has an interesting history as it all began
with something that was never meant to be taken that seriously. This flag is
known as the Gadsden flag, after its designer, Christopher Gadsden who was an
American general and statesmen. The background of the flag is a bright yellow
color with a coiled rattlesnake sitting in the center. Under the snake are the
words, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
The snake on the flag is believed to be due to one of Benjamin Franklin’s
commentaries that had been posted in the Pennsylvania Gazette. This was in 1751
after Britain started sending convicted felons back to America. Franklin
jokingly suggested that to show their gratitude, America should send
rattlesnakes back to England. Franklin again turned to the symbol of the snake
in 1754 when he published a cartoon in an American newspaper which depicted a
snake that had been cut into eight sections. Below the snake were the words,
“Join or Die.” This was thought to represent the colonies the way they were
lined up along the coast.
It was in 1775 that the Navy adopted this flag as the flag that they would use
in battle against Britain. Instead of using a flag constructed of material and
hanging from a pole, the US Navy painted drums yellow and then painted the snake
and the words on. This is the first time that the Gadsden flag was known to be
used in an official capacity.
What started off as a sarcastic reference became a national symbol and is still
widely used in America today. The flag can still be seen at harbor ports, as
well as any customs location, especially after the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001. Nike also has an ad campaign that shows a rattlesnake
wrapped around a soccer ball and the words “Don’t Tread on Me” are also used.
This is to symbolize Nike’s support of the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team.
The Gadsden Flag
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