Grand Union Flag

Grand Union Flag or Continental Colors

British merchant and war ships in the colonial period flew a red flag with the famous British Union Jack in the canton. This was known widely throughout the colonies and it was not surprising that it was the design chosen to be modified when the first distinctive American national flag was created.

By adding white stripes across the field, the number of colonies struggling for their rights were symbolized. The Union Jack indicated that independence was not yet demanded. The flag appears to have been have been first officially hoisted on January 2, 1776, at Cambridge, Massachusetts by General Washington and became the standard of the Continental Army. Because it represented the whole nation, it was known at the time as the Continental Colors. However, Washington in one of his letters referred to it as the “great Union Flag” and today it has become common to call it the Grand Union Flag.