The Gadsden Flag dates back to 1775, right at the start of the American Revolution. Christopher Gadsden, a soldier and politician from South Carolina, designed the flag as a symbol of resistance. It was first used by the Continental Marines, America’s first naval force, as they prepared to take on the British.
Christopher Gadsden, a South Carolinian delegate to the Continental Congress and brigadier general in the Continental Army, designed the flag in 1775 during the American Revolution. He gave the flag to Commodore Esek Hopkins, and it was unfurled on the main mast of Hopkins' flagship USS Alfred on December 20, 1775. Two days later, Congress made Hopkins commander-in-chiefof the Continental Navy. He adopted the Gadsden banner as his personal flag, flying it from the mainmast of the flagship while he was aboard. The Continental Marines also flew the flag during the early part of the war.
The rattlesnake on the Gadsden Flag isn’t just there to look cool—it has deep meaning:
- Vigilance: A rattlesnake is always aware of its surroundings and won’t hesitate to defend itself. This represents the need for Americans to stay alert and protect their freedoms.
- Independence: Unlike other animals, a rattlesnake is self-reliant. It doesn’t rely on a pack or herd, much like how the colonies wanted to govern themselves without interference.
- Defensive Posture: The rattlesnake doesn’t go looking for trouble—but if you step on it, you’ll regret it. This mirrors how the early Americans weren’t the aggressors but were more than willing to fight for their rights.
Above, Gadsden's flag in an 1885 schoolbook
This symbolism goes all the way back to Benjamin Franklin’s famous “Join or Die” cartoon, which depicted a segmented snake as a call for colonial unity. Over time, that imagery evolved into what we now see on the Gadsden Flag—a bold symbol of defiance and self-determination.
Map of states (colored yellow) that offer Gadsden flag specialty license plates. Of course, California isn't one of them.
this is the best example of why this is the coolest website on the planet. this is really interesting and answers questions i always had but had never taken the time to research. great post!
ReplyDeleteYou can get every college insignia in the entire SEC on your plate in GA though.
ReplyDeleteno step on snek
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago I was in a campground in Gettysburg (of all places) and was flying the Stars and Stripes along with the Gadsden flag at my campsite. Security Guard for the campground knocked on my door. He said I had to remove the Gadsden flag. I asked him why? He said the campground does not allow political flags. I told him a brief history of the flag and told him I was not going to remove it. He left but said he'd be back with management to have me removed from the campground. I told him to prepare for a lawsuit, if he did. The total ridiculousness of this was the fact that 50 yards away from my campsite was a travel trailer and van decorated and painted with "Black Lives Matter over all parts of the vehicles. The guard never returned.
ReplyDeleteAgree. And I try to have that attitude with all creatures.
ReplyDeleteReally wish NH would add this plate as an option!
ReplyDeleteWhy do you want to give the government $100 a year or whatever when you could buy a front plate or bumper sticker for a few bucks that would send the same message?
DeleteReal Americans fly ONE flag
ReplyDeleteCalifornia may not offer one - at least that follows their political bent ... but explain Maryland, a s*hole as bad as Cali
ReplyDeleteI am a Maryland resident and I've not seen the flag on any of our plates, though the MD MVA lists a private club plate that includes the flag on a portion of the organization's vanity plate.
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