The Grand Union Flag

The Grand Union flag, also known as the Cambridge Flag, the Congress Colors and the First Navy Ensign, consists of the Union Jack flag and thirteen alternating red and white stripes.

Who created the Grand Union Flag?

A committee was formed by the Second Continental Congress in 1775 to adopt a new flag design that would symbolize the unity of the original 13 American colonies. By using the Union Jack on the flag, the committee was attempting to repair and maintain the delicate relationship with Great Britain.

The committee consisted of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Harrison and Thomas Lynch. They consulted with leaders from the Revolutionary and Colonial movements, therefore ensuring that a design acceptable by both would be designed.

The flag was designed by Francis Hopkinson - one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

The Design

The body of the flag consisted of thirteen red and white alternating stripes. These stripes represented the thirteen American colonies.

The field of blue in the upper corner of the flag included the British Union Jack, consisting of the cross of St. George of England and the cross of St. Andrew of Scotland.

Fun Fact: The Grand Union may have been one of the
first examples of compromise in the development of a new
United States. Revolutionary leaders like
George Washington, as well as other colonial leaders
were consulted about the design.

First Union Flag, 1776

Grand Union Flag Facts

This flag was first flown by the Colonial fleet on the Delaware River in late 1775. On December 3rd of that year, it was raised aboard Captain Esek Hopkin's flagship Alfred by John Paul Jones, who at that time was a young lieutenant in the Navy. This is why it is also referred to as the First Navy Ensign.

Prior to being flown by the Colonial fleet, this flag was first raised by General George Washington on January 1, 1776 at Prospect Hill in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

This flag was flown as the unofficial American flag until June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes.

Fun Fact: The famous "Washington crossing the Delaware"
painting by Emanuel Leutze in 1851 depicts the Stars
and Stripes flag, but it was most likely that he
was actually carrying the Grand Union
at the time of the crossing.

Be sure to read about the Bennington Flag, the Star Spangled Banner Flag and the Betsy Ross Flag too!