Back Grand Union Flag Breton Grand Union Flag Spanish Grand Union Flag French דגל האיחוד הגדול HE Bendera Grand Union ID 초기 아메리카의 비공식 국기 Korean Grand Union Flag NB Bandeira da Grande União Portuguese Континентальный флаг Russian Grand Union Flag SIMPLE
.svg) De facto flag of the United States until 1777 | |
| Other names | first American flag, Cambridge Flag, and Grand Union Flag |
|---|---|
| Use | National flag and ensign    |
| Adopted | December 3, 1775 |
| Relinquished | June 14, 1777 |
| Design | A British Union flag, with thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, in the field. |
The Continental Union Flag (often referred to as the first American flag, Cambridge Flag, and Grand Union Flag) was the flag of the United Colonies from 1775 to 1776, and the de facto flag of the United States until 1777, when the 13 star flag was adopted by the Continental Congress.
The Continental Union Flag was so called because it combined the British Union flag (denoting the kingdoms of England and Scotland) with thirteen stripes (representing the United Colonies).
The canton consists of the British Union flag, while the field is thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white.
The Continental Union Flag made its first appearance on December 3, 1775, when it was hoisted at the commissioning of Admiral Esek Hopkins' flagship on the western shore of the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.