9781422287422

11 A Flag Is Born

was for Washington’s out- manned and under- supplied troops. It served as a source of pride, because it encompassed the hopes and ideals of the people it repre- sented. The first forms resembling modern

The Grand Union Flag was one of the earliest banners used by the Continental army.

flags were banners . They were made of cloth and dis- played on a staff. Their main function was to indicate a person of importance, such as a king, a duke, or a mili- tary leader. Banners were mentioned in the Bible during the days of Solomon more than 3,000 years ago. During the Middle Ages, a number of independent city-states in Italy used banners to establish an individ- ual symbol of identity. These cities were the first to use an extension of the banner as a symbol that would represent them. Thus, the concept of the flag was born. It is generally accepted that the first real flag ever flown in North America was a white flag with a black raven on it. According to legend, this flag was carried by Erik the Red and his son, Leif Eriksson. They were Viking explorers believed to have landed in the Americas some 500 years before Christopher Columbus.