Good Wednesday morning, all, and welcome to this month's edition of Flag of the Month!
This flag is one of my FAVORITES. Ladies and gentlemen! (drumroll, please) we bring you The Bennington Flag!
The Bennington Flag is a variation of the US Flag which features 7 white stripes and 6 red stripes, which is different from the American Flag which is comprised of 6 white stripes, and 7 red stripes. The result of the 7 white stripes is that they are featured at the top and bottom of the flag, whereas the standard American Flag features a red stripe at the top and bottom. The blue canton in the top left corner features 11 seven-pointed white stars in an arch shape, plus two additional stars, one in the each of the top corners. The total number of stars is 13 and the total number of stripes is also 13, both of which reference the 13 original colonies. Underneath the arch of stars is the text, "76," in a bold white font, a reference to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The large '76' makes it easily identifiable as banner from the American Revolution, evoking Spirit of '76 nostalgia.
(https://i.imgur.com/Y9iNCdJ.png)
The Bennington Flag is also referred to as the Fillmore Flag since it was purported by Fillmore family oral-history to have been first hoisted by Nathaniel Fillmore in 1777 at the Battle of Bennington. Nathaniel Fillmore was also the Grandfather of President Millard Fillmore. The flag was passed down through the Fillmore family and eventually donated to the Bennington Museum in Bennington, VT in 1926 where it is still on display today.
(https://i.imgur.com/o2E6Mig.jpg) (https://i.imgur.com/U4svgeA.jpg)
The Battle of Bennington was fought on 16 August 1777 as part of the American Revolutionary War. Bennington is a town in Vermont, but the actual battle was fought in New York State, in Walloomsac, about 10 miles west of Bennington.
(https://i.imgur.com/9fpfR44.jpg)
The Battle of Bennington proved to be a pivotal encounter in the American Revolutionary War. The decisive victory by the 13 colonies sent a strong message to Great Brittan that total defeat was imminent and inevitable. By 1777, the British government had already come to terms with losing New England to its former colonists. Its strategy was to separate New England from those colonies to the south, including Vermont. They considered Vermont to be more loyal to the British crown than Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and other New England territories.
(https://i.imgur.com/836exz1.jpg)
The revolutionaries fought a coalition of British, German, Canadian, Loyalist, and Native American forces. The Green Mountain Boys, a militia established by Ethan Allen in the 1760s, were a large part of the soldiery which defeated this coalition. This type of home-grown army still resonates with many modern Americans who treasure their independent, revolutionary spirit.
(https://i.imgur.com/doD98fN.jpg)
The Bennington Flag is both a commemoration of an event in history and an acclamation of current values. Its distinctive design is reminiscent of the current American Flag, yet includes the "76" numerals and 13 stars pay tribute to our nation's history, making this both recognizable as a symbol of America today and of our country's past.
Thank You, Mrs. Smith. I could see where one might say the flag featured the first emoticon ever used in history :( 13 unhappy colonies and the year they said no more. 76
Quote from: Aliquippa on September 01, 2021, 03:27:15 PM
Thank You, Mrs. Smith. I could see where one might say the flag featured the first emoticon ever used in history :( 13 unhappy colonies and the year they said no more. 76
That's funny right there! I don't care who you are. ;D
Ain't that the truth!! :boohoo: :boohoo: :yeahthat:
Quote from: Aliquippa on September 01, 2021, 03:27:15 PM
Thank You, Mrs. Smith. I could see where one might say the flag featured the first emoticon ever used in history :( 13 unhappy colonies and the year they said no more. 76
Ma'am, that is one fine observation! :bow: