‘Don’t Tread On Me’ flag has long history of Navy use

“The rattlesnake emerged as a symbol of the English colonies of North America about the time of the Seven Years War, when it appeared in newspaper prints with the motto ‘Join or Die,'” according to the Navy.

“By the time of the War of Independence, the rattlesnake, frequently used in conjunction with the motto ‘Don’t Tread on Me,’ was a common symbol for the United States, its independent spirit, and its resistance to tyranny.”

Bard Cosman, an expert on the Gadsden flag, believes it may even have its origins with Moses in the Old Testament. The first modern use of the yellow flag, designed by Col. Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina in 1775, was by Commodore Esek Hopkins. The commander of the Continental Navy Fleet used it as his personal battle standard in 1776. The red-and-white-striped Navy Jack would go on to be used by various Revolutionary-era military forces.

“It’s been a symbol of liberty and defiance ever since,” Cosman told the Washington Examiner.

The Navy used the jack once again in 1976, when all vessels were ordered to use the flag to commemorate the U.S. bicentennial. It made another appearance in 2002, when the Navy directed all ships to fly the flag during the Global War on Terrorism. The jack’s use was discontinued on Feb. 21, 2019, when it was replaced by the standard Jack of the United States, which features the 50 stars from the American flag on a blue background. The new uniforms are expected to be completely rolled out this year.

The yellow Gadsden flag became a popular symbol used by the Tea Party movement in 2009 and has sometimes been associated with libertarianism. It was also prominently displayed by opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2017. It has also been referenced in pop culture, including on an album cover by the rock band Metallica and by the U.S. men’s national soccer team.

Actor Chris Pratt drew headlines and criticism this week after he was photographed wearing a T-shirt featuring an image of a rattlesnake superimposed on the American flag and the “Don’t tread on me” text.

“I like him, but all these small things about his politics makes me wonder when he’ll say something transphobic, tank his career, and do the full heel-turn into a Fox commentator,” said Twitter user Tim Byrnes.

In 2014, an African American employee identified under the pseudonym Shelton D. filed a complaint against their employer after a coworker repeatedly wore a cap to work depicting the yellow Gadsden flag. The employee said the flag is a “historical indicator of white resentment against blacks stemming largely from the Tea Party,”

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission weighed in on the controversy, ruling that it could be “interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages in some contexts.” Ultimately, however, the commission did not take a stance on the flag’s actual meaning.

“This decision was not on the merits, did not determine that the Gadsden Flag was racist or discriminatory, and did not ban it,” the commission’s report said.

Ultimately, the Gadsden flag doesn’t belong to any one political group, Cosman said.

“I think its distinctly unfair to place it in a particular camp,” Cosman said. “It’s really in the same category as Old Glory; its one of these core American symbols that has been used by just everybody over time.”

Julio Rosas contributed to this report.