First Navy Jack DONT TREAD ON ME Nylon Embroidered Flag 3 x 5 ft.

This is the Naval rendition of the American Colonial Flag in use at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This is one of the first flags to show 13 stripes (one for each American colony). It features a snake above the warning, “DONT TREAD ON ME”. The lack of an apostrophe in “DONT” is based on the only rendition we have of the flag during the revolution, a print made by Thomas Hart in August, 1776. The rattle snake, found only in the Americas, had become a traditional symbol of the American Colonies. The origin of the slogan (Don’t Tread On Me) pertains to the snakes deadly strike and that it is best left alone. In 2002 the Secretary of the Navy directed that all U.S. Navy ships raise the historic Navy Jack and continue to do so throughout the global War on Terrorism. Our flag historian has written a history of this flag. If you would like a copy, let us know. We will be happy to email it to you or send a copy by US Postal Service.