The History of the Gadsden Flag
 

The Gadsden flag is a historical American flag with a yellow field depicting a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. Positioned below the rattlesnake are the words "Dont tread on me". The flag is named after American general and statesman Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was also used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag, along with the Moultrie Flag. In modern times, the Gadsden flag is often associated with libertarianism.

I am not a member of the Tea Party, but on certain holidays I fly a small Gadsden flag in my yard among a number of our Stars & Stripes. If you note above this was the first flag flown by our first and revolutionary Continental Marines. I have a number of ancestors who fought in the American Revolutionary War. One was a Continental Marine and it is believed he fought under this flag. I post it to honor him.

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