History of the Bennington Flag
The Bennington Flag is one of the most recognizable historic American flags and is closely associated with the American Revolution.
The flag features 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the original thirteen colonies, along with the distinctive “76” and 13 stars in the canton. The large “76” refers to 1776, the year of American independence.
The flag is traditionally associated with the Battle of Bennington, fought on August 16, 1777, in Vermont during the Revolutionary War. According to tradition, American forces carried a flag resembling the Bennington design into battle. However, historians have debated whether the flag now known as the Bennington Flag was actually used at the battle.
The surviving Bennington Flag is generally believed to date from the early Revolutionary period or shortly afterward. It is now preserved by the Bennington Museum in Vermont and is an important artifact of American flag history.
What the Symbols Mean
- 13 stripes — Represent the original thirteen American colonies.
- 13 stars — Represent the thirteen colonies and the new United States.
- “76” — Refers to 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
- Red and white — Give the flag its distinctive early American appearance.
The Bennington Flag remains popular with American history enthusiasts, Revolutionary War reenactors, collectors, museums, and people looking for historic American flags.