Product Description
The First Navy Jack flag is deeply rooted in American Revolutionary history. Though historians debate the exact colors and dimensions, it’s likely that during the early stages of the American Revolution, Patriot vessels flew a similar naval jack or identifier flag. Own a piece of U.S. history and show your revolutionary spirit with this high-quality American-made First Navy Jack flag!
FIRST NAVY JACK FLAG FEATURES
If you need to be ready for days on the open ocean, our First Navy Jack flag has got you covered with its lightweight nylon and long-lasting digital print not only standing up strong to surf and sun but ensuring your flag will flap majestically in even the lightest of sea breezes.
Your 3’ x 5’ First Navy Jack flag will attach to your flag mast or outdoor flagpole easily, safely, and securely with its sturdy canvas header with brass grommets.
All First Navy Jack flags feature:
- Made in America authentic 1975 design
- 3' x 5' size
- 100% nylon
- Sewn edges
- Strong canvas heading
- Brass grommets
FIRST NAVY JACK FLAG HISTORY AND DESIGN
Historians, as always, debate the actual validity and history of this version of the First Navy Jack flag. What we do know is that Commodore Hopkins of the Continental Navy instructed his ships entering the Delaware River at the beginning of the American War of Independence to hoist a flag with 13 alternating red and white stripes. Additional correspondence between Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Sicilian allies describe a naval jack featuring the similar 13 stripes, with a gold rattlesnake.
That rattlesnake had long been a symbol of American resistance to the British, originating with Franklin’s famous “Join, or Die” political cartoon from 1754 that was eventually immortalized as the Gadsden snake flag. The “Don’t Tread on Me” phrase probably originated around the same time, but the phrase wasn’t applied to the rattlesnake naval jack flag until 1880.
The flag’s modern use began to celebrate the United States’ bicentennial in 1976 with an updated design. It had another stint through the 2000s and was recently removed as the standard U.S. Navy jack flag in 2019. The First Navy Jack flag remains in service on one ship: the world’s oldest actively commissioned vessel still afloat, the USS Constitution.
