The Gadsden flag or “Rattlesnake Flag” as it is sometimes more commonly known, has a rich and complex history dating back to well before our country claimed its independence from Great Britain.
During the Revolutionary War, the rattlesnake symbol was already a well-established symbol in the colonies. Ben Franklin first made reference to the rattlesnake as far back as 1751. The colonies embraced the rattlesnake as a colonial symbol and its popularity grew. By 1774, Paul Revere included the rattlesnake in the masthead of the Boston newspaper The Massachusetts Spy. On December 27, 1775, in an article published in The Pennsylvania Journal, Benjamin Franklin explained why the rattlesnake was a perfect symbol for the colonies:
“The rattlesnake’s eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids. She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarrelling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defence, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal. Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her. Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America? The poison of her teeth is the necessary means of digesting her food, and at the same time is certain destruction to her enemies. This may be understood to intimate that those things which are destructive to our enemies, may be to us not only harmless, but absolutely necessary to our existence …‘Tis curious and amazing to observe how distinct and independent of each other the rattles of this animal are, and yet how firmly they are united together, so as never to be separated but by breaking them to pieces. One of those rattles singly, is incapable of producing sound, but the ringing of thirteen together, is sufficient to alarm the boldest man living.”
The motto “Don’t Tread on Me” threatens harm to anyone who might seek to tread, or step on colonial Americans, as Prime Minister Frederick, Lord North, had done through the Coercive Acts. The motto was first used as a rallying cry in 1775 by a detachment of Continental Marines assigned to accompany the Navy on their very first mission to intercept British transport ships carrying war supplies. These Marines, who were mustered at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, carried yellow drums emblazoned with a rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t Tread On Me”.
At the time, South Carolina native Christopher Gadsden was a Colonel in the Continental Army who was tasked with outfitting this first Naval mission. Gadsden, an ardent patriot, was the leader of the Sons of Liberty in South Carolina, and even referred to as the “Sam Adams of the South”. Before the mission commenced, Gadsden presented the first Gadsden Flag to Commodore Esek Hopkins who was the Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy to use as his personal banner aboard his ship the “Alfred”.
Today, the Gadsden Flag is a symbol of freedom, independence, and limited government and is embraced by freedom loving patriotic Americans of all backgrounds. The Gadsden Flag is truly a unique part of our American Heritage. Display this flag proudly!