Bennington flag facts for kids
The Bennington flag is a special version of the American flag. It's famous because people connect it to a big battle during the American Revolution called the Battle of Bennington. That's where it gets its name! What makes it stand out is a large '76' on it. This '76' reminds everyone of the year 1776, which is when the Declaration of Independence was signed.
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What Makes the Bennington Flag Special?
Like many flags from the American Revolution, the Bennington flag has 13 stars and 13 stripes. These represent the 13 American colonies that were fighting for their freedom from Great Britain.
How to Spot the Bennington Flag
You can easily tell the Bennington flag apart because of the big '76' in its top-left corner. This part of the flag is called the canton. The '76' is a clear nod to 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Here are some other unique things about it:
- The stripes are arranged differently. On most US flags, the outermost stripe is red. But on the Bennington flag, the outermost stripe is white.
- Its stars have seven points each. Today, most US flags have stars with five points.
- The blue canton (the top-left corner) is taller than usual. It covers nine of the thirteen stripes, instead of the typical seven.
Many people love the Bennington flag. It's a popular choice for those who want to show their pride in the American Revolution. The '76' makes it instantly recognizable as a symbol from that time. It brings to mind the "Spirit of '76", which is all about the feeling of patriotism and fighting for freedom.
The Flag's Story: Fact or Legend?
There's a famous story about the original Bennington flag. It says that a man named Nathaniel Fillmore carried the flag off the battlefield. The flag was then passed down through his family. At one point, it was even owned by President Millard Fillmore, who was Nathaniel's grandson. Because of this family connection, some people also call it the "Fillmore flag". In 1877, Philetus P. Fillmore flew a Bennington flag to remember the Battle of Bennington. Later, Mrs. Maude Fillmore Wilson gave the family flag to the Bennington Museum.
Doubts About Its Age
However, many historians aren't sure if the Fillmore flag was actually used in the Battle of Bennington. Another flag, belonging to the Green Mountain Boys and their leader John Stark, is generally believed to have been there. Both Stark's flag and the Fillmore flag are kept at the Bennington Museum.
Experts at the museum have studied both flags carefully. They agree that Stark's flag is an authentic 18th-century battle flag. But they believe the Bennington flag was made in the 19th century. They figured this out by looking at the fabric, which seems to be machine-woven.
Why Was the Flag Made?
So, if it wasn't at the battle, why was the Bennington flag made? Some historians think it might have been created to inspire patriotic feelings during the War of 1812. This war was also fought against the United Kingdom. Others suggest it was made to celebrate a special anniversary, like the 50th year of the Declaration of Independence in 1826. One expert from the Smithsonian Institution even thought it could have been a "centennial banner," made around 1876 for the 100th anniversary of the Declaration.
No matter its exact origin, the Bennington flag remains a powerful symbol of the American Revolution and the spirit of 1776.
