What is the Gadsden Flag? Many pro-Trumpers storming Capitol carried flag that has forever-changing history
On Wednesday, January 6, many Trump supporters protested violently against President-elect Joe Biden’s certification and even stormed the Capitol building. The protests saw many wearing MAGA hats and holding different kinds of flags, which included a red and white flag that read, 'TRUMP NATION' and a yellow flag that stated, 'Don’t Tread On Me' with the image of a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field.
According to reports, the yellow flag is centuries-old and its origin is documented before the American Revolution (1765-1783). In the past few years, it has been mostly used by the Tea Party movement and sometimes, the militia movement members. The flag has also become the representative symbol of the US Marine Corps, the US Navy, the US men’s national soccer team, and a Major League Soccer franchise.
As per a report by The Conversation, who gave birth to the flag and what was the original idea behind it are not clear. But apparently, it started with a simple illustration along with an essay by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, years before the US got its freedom. The essay was reportedly about the key problems for British colonists in North America — the threat posed by the French and their Native American allies. It has been said the picture was drawn by Franklin himself, who tried to depict the colonies of the US as parts of a divided snake, simply stating “Join, or Die.”
With time, as the American Revolution took shape, the flag and its image also changed with a new meaning. At the time, several flags were hoisted by colonists, including the ones showing rattlesnakes. One of them was named 'First Navy Jack' which had 13 red and white stripes, and a timber rattlesnake with 13 rattles, painted with the words 'Don’t Tread On Me.' However, in 1775, again the flag and its meaning evolved as South Carolina politician Christopher Gadsden took reference from Franklin’s idea and designed a yellow flag with a coiled rattler with the same words, “Don’t Tread On Me.”
Much later, in 1976, the first Navy Jack version of the flag reappeared on the US Navy ships to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial, and again after 9/11. The year 2006 also saw the commercial use of the phrase and the coiled snake by Nike and the Philadelphia Union, a Major League Soccer team. During that time only, the world saw the flag taking on a new apolitical meaning since the Tea Party — a hard-line Republican anti-tax movement — used it against the country’s government as they believed the government was threatening the freedom of its people.
As per reports, because of the Tea Party movement, several state governments started offering a Gadsden flag license plate design. Some of those states charge extra money for the special plate, which is often sent to nonprofit organizations. In recent years, the flag has made its appearance at other protests also. For example, people protesting against rules on gun ownership held the flag, and those who opposed the restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic proudly carried it. The flag was also seen flying at some post-election demonstrations. Since the Gadsden flag is now mostly seen with 'Trump 2020' flags and the Confederate battle flag, there is no doubt many will take it as a symbol of intolerance and hate or even racism, and if that happens, it will lose its original meaning forever.