Flag Tips and Guides

The POW/MIA flag originated during the Vietnam War as a symbol honoring American service members who were prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). The flag was designed in 1971 by Newt Heisley, a commercial artist from New Jersey. Heisley created the design at the request of Mary Hoff, whose husband, Navy pilot Michael Hoff, was missing in action in Vietnam. The design featured a white disc containing the silhouette of a man's head, a watchtower, and barbed wire, along with the words “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.” The flag quickly became a powerful symbol of the Vietnam-era effort...

Collecting U.S. miniature historic flags is a wonderful way to explore American history while creating an attractive display. Each small flag can represent a different period, event, state, military unit, or important moment in the development of the United States. A collection might begin with familiar historic flags such as the Betsy Ross Flag, Grand Union Flag, Bennington Flag, Culpeper Flag, Gadsden Flag, Appeal To Heaven Flag, and other Revolutionary War designs. Collectors can continue by adding flags from the War of 1812, Civil War, and other important periods in American history. Miniature flags are especially appealing because they require...

The Appeal To Heaven Flag is a historic American Revolutionary War flag featuring a white field with a green pine tree. It is commonly known as the “Pine Tree Flag” and is associated with the early American struggle for independence. The phrase “An Appeal to Heaven” comes from the writings of English philosopher John Locke. Locke argued that when people are denied justice and lawful government, they ultimately have the right to appeal to heaven for justice. The idea became influential among American colonists before and during the Revolutionary War. The pine tree was an important symbol in colonial New...

The Bonnie Blue Flag is a historic flag featuring a single white five-pointed star on a blue field. Its origins predate the American Civil War and are connected to the Republic of West Florida. The earliest well-documented use of a similar design occurred in 1810, when rebels in what became known as the Republic of West Florida used a blue flag with a single white star during their revolt against Spanish rule. The short-lived republic existed for only a few months before the United States annexed the territory. The design resurfaced in 1861 when Mississippi adopted a blue flag with...

Grand Union Flag Origin The Grand Union Flag is considered the first national flag of the United States, although the country had not yet declared independence when it was introduced. The flag appeared during the American Revolution in late 1775. It combined 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the thirteen American colonies, with the British Union flag in the canton. Connection to George Washington The Grand Union Flag is strongly associated with George Washington and the Continental Army. On January 1, 1776, Washington's forces raised it over their camp at Prospect Hill near Boston. This was one of the...