The Gadsden Flag

Welcome to Gadsden.info, my Web site devoted entirely to the Gadsden flag, the defiant "Don't Tread on Me" symbol of American independence and freedom.

I've been a fan of the Gadsden flag for years. I've created these Web pages for other fans, and as a way to help keep the spirit of the symbol alive.

This site has three content areas:

The history of the Gadsden flag.
Recommendations on where to find Gadsden flags, shirts, stickers, etc.
Free Gadsden flag clip art & downloads.

You might also be interested in Gadsden.info's sister site, NavyJack.info. The First Navy Jack is similar to the Gadsden flag, but the rattlesnake is uncoiled and it appears on a field of thirteen red-and-white stripes instead of a yellow background. This flag got a big boost in popularity when the Secretary of the Navy ordered all U.S. Navy ships to display it for the duration of the War on Terrorism.

Looking for "Don't Tread on Me" merchandise? Click over to visit Larry and Patrick at the Gadsden and Culpeper American Heritage Shoppe.

They've got the best selection of Gadsden products I've ever found: flags ... t-shirts ... hats ... license plates ....

Their latest invention is a car magnet with a Gadsden rattlesnake in the shape of a yellow ribbon. I love it!

At the request of customers, Larry and Patrick recently had "Don't Tread on Me" flag patches manufactured. They're sending a dozen to a Special Forces captain stationed in Iraq we met through this site. The captain and his squad plan to wear them on missions.

By the way, if you tell them I sent you, you'll get a free "Don't Tread on Me" sticker with any purchase.

Gadsden Flag History

Here is the fascinating story of the Gadsden flag. This is as much as I've been able to gather through extensive personal research on the subject.

The early history of the rattlesnake as a symbol for the American colonies.
Where the Gadsden flag first appears in recorded history: at the first mustering of the U.S. Marine Corps and the first mission of the Continental Navy.
Colonel Christopher Gadsden, the namesake of the flag, and Commodore Esek Hopkins, the almost-namesake.
The history of the Gadsden flag's close cousins: the flag of the Culpeper Minutemen, and the First Navy Jack.

Gadsden Flags & Merchandise

Here are the best places I know for buying Gadsden flags and related items.

Inexpensive polyester and durable nylon Gadsden flags.
"Don't Tread on Me" T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other clothing.
Gadsden flag bumperstickers, hats, baseball caps, coffee mugs, license plates, and more.

Show your colors!

The cult-hit show "Jericho" used the flag prominently in its second season. Tank0 created a bunch of Gadsden/Jericho images like this one for other fans of the show.

The HBO miniseries "John Adams" is also sparking renewed interest in the rattlesnake symbol. Thanks Hollywood!

John Malin flew the Gadsden flag while serving in Iraq with the US Air Force.

Click here to read his message.

Marc Conklin of Midlothian, Virginia put the Gadsden flag on a kite.

Click here to read his message.

Don't Tread on Me tattoo

This awesome tattoo is on the back of Sam Gruber from Philadelphia. A retired Navy admiral at a picnic snapped the picture.

Click here for more "Don't Tread on Me" snake tattoos.

Have you used the flag in an interesting way or do you have a "Don't Tread on Me" tattoo? E-mail me a picture at chris<--at-->interesting.com. I'd love to see it.

Free Gadsden Flag Clip Art & Downloads

Here is a page of free Gadsden flag clip art I created especially for use on Web pages.

Below are four Gadsden flag images you can use as wallpaper for your Windows desktop. With most Web browsers, here's all you need to do. Click on the image link below that fits your screen resolution. Then right-click on the image and select "Set as Background."

You can also use the Web background image that I created for this site on your own home page. Just click on this link to view the Gadsden rattlesnake Web background, right-click on the image, and select "Save Picture As." Save it on your local machine, upload it from there to your Web server, and put BACKGROUND=gadsden-bg.gif in the BODY tag of your Web page.

If you use one of my images on your Web page, all I ask in return is that you link to this site. Thanks.

Yours in liberty,

Chris Whitten
chris--<at>--interesting.com

P.S. Questions, comments, or announcements related to the flag or American history? Use this Founding Fathers forum.