[Phipsi-l] Flag

[Smith, Hunter]

Just a little knowledge I would like to give to you all.


The Gadsden Flag:

    Considered one of the first flags of the United States, the flag was later replaced by the current Stars and Stripes<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States> (or Old Glory<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Glory>) flag. Since the Revolution, the flag has seen times of reintroduction as a symbol of American patriotism<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotism>, a symbol of disagreement with government, or a symbol of support for civil liberties.


    In fall 1775, the United States Navy<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy> was established to intercept incoming British ships carrying war supplies to the British troops in the colonies. To aid in this, the Second Continental Congress<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Continental_Congress> authorized the mustering of five companies of Marines to accompany the Navy on their first mission. The first Marines that enlisted were from Philadelphia<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia> and they carried drums painted yellow, depicting a coiled rattlesnake with thirteen rattles, and the motto "Don't Tread On Me." This is the first recorded mention of the future Gadsden flag's symbolism.

At the Congress, Continental<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Army> Colonel<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel> Christopher Gadsden represented his home state of South Carolina<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina>. He was one of seven members of the Marine Committee who were outfitting the first naval mission.[4]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-natgeo-3>

Before the departure of that first mission in December 1775, the newly appointed commander-in-chief<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander-in-chief> of the Navy, Commodore<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_%28USN%29> Esek Hopkins<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esek_Hopkins>, received the yellow rattlesnake flag from Gadsden to serve as the distinctive personal standard of his flagship. It was displayed at the mainmast.[4]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-natgeo-3>

Gadsden also presented a copy of this flag to the Congress<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Carolina_General_Assembly> of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston,_South_Carolina> in 1776.


  Use as Tea Party Symbolism:


    Beginning in 2009, the Gadsden Flag has become an adopted symbol of the American Tea Party movement<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_Party_movement>.[9]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-8>[10]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-9> Nationwide it serves as an alternative to the stars and stripes<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States>[11]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-foxnews1-10> for Tea Party supporters.[12]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-11> It was also seen being displayed by members of Congress at Tea Party rallies.[13]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-12> Some lawmakers have dubbed it a political symbol due to the Tea Party connection,[11]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-foxnews1-10> and the political nature of Tea Party supporters.[14]<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag#cite_note-13>

The imagery of the "Join, Or Die" cartoon on which the Gadsden Flag was based was reused by Glenn Beck<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck>, widely considered a leading voice of the Tea Party movement, to promote his 9-12 Project<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9-12_Project>.


    In summary the Gadsden Flag has represented American Patriotism and the  support for civil liberties for over 200 plus years, and has only represented the Tea Party since 2009.



Peace, Love, and the American Way,


Brother Smith #76
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