Gadsden Flag | Don’t Tread On Me

Gadsden Flag | Don’t Tread On Me

Benjamin Franklin is famous for his sense of humor. He created a yellow flag, displaying a rattlesnake and the motto: “Don’t tread on me”, representing his response towards the Brits when they sent convicted felons to America. In return, Franklin sent hundreds of rattle snakes to be released in England as a “thank you” for the added population of felons to America. This historical event is commonly remembered through the Gadsden Flag or often referred as the “Don’t Tread on Me Flag”.

The Gadsden Flag is named after Christopher Gadsden who was the American patriot that mulled around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the 1700’s, making contributions to American History. He did many things such as led the Sons of Liberty, was made colonel in the Continental Army, was a part of the Continental Congress, and eventually adopted the Gadsden flag as his personal standard, “Don’t tread on me.” Although Benjamin Franklin was the creator of the Gadsden Flag and established the overall meaning, Christopher Gadsden was the man who lived out the Gadsden flags true meaning.