1 January 1776: The first United States flag displayed by George Washington

On tue 1st of January 1776, General George Washington raised the Grand Union Flag at Prospect Hill in what is now Somerville, Massachusetts. This event marked a symbolic moment in the American Revolutionary War, as it was one of the earliest instances of a flag being used to represent the union of the American colonies in their fight for independence from Britain. The flag featured 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the 13 American colonies.In the canton (upper left corner), it bore the Union Jack, symbolizing ties to Great Britain, as independence had not yet been declared.

The flag was raised during the Siege of Boston, where the Continental Army, under Washington’s command, was attempting to expel British forces from the city. By January 1776, Washington sought to inspire unity and morale among his troops, and the hoisting of the Grand Union Flag symbolized the colonies’ collective resolve.

The flag served as a bridge between the colonial identity and the eventual declaration of independence. At the time, many colonists were still hoping for reconciliation with Britain, and the Union Jack in the design reflected this ambivalence.

The flag is considered the precursor to the Stars and Stripes, the official flag of the United States