The Flag Research Center

04/24/2026

As we continue to document America 250 with our collection, we take a look at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. After 1778, the British focused more of their efforts in the South. In part, they suffered more defeats in the mid-Atlantic and New England states, but also, conquering the wealthiest state, South Carolina, would be a boon to the British war funds. Check out our blog in the comments to learn more!

Image: Guilford County flag. c. 1781-1795. N.C. Museum of History collection, H.1914.246.1.

04/15/2026

Flag Bulletin No. 224 has been digitized and is available on the FRC website.

The Flag Bulletin No. 224 (March-April 2026) printed the following articles: Rev. William M. Becker, STD, “The Proto-National Papal Flag.” Paul J. Upham, “The Origins of the U.S. …

04/06/2026

Flag Bulletin No. 223 has been digitized and is available on the FRC website.

The Flag Bulletin No. 223 (January-February 2026) printed the following articles: Whitney Smith, “Political Symbolism.” Whitney Smith, “Symbols of Akkalkot.” Whitney Smith, …

03/31/2026

Flag Bulletin No. 222 has been digitized and is available on the FRC website.

The Flag Bulletin No. 222 (November-December 2005) printed the following articles: Robert Goldstein, “Bouck White: The First American Prosecuted for Flag Burning.” John Quincy Adams, & #…

03/23/2026

Flag Bulletin No. 221 has been digitized and is available on the FRC website.

The Flag Bulletin No. 221 (September-October 2005) printed the following articles: “Editorial.” “Cover Picture: A Taliban Battle Trophy.” Whitney Smith, “‘Flag P…

06/18/2025

Good telephone interview with the AP writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The woman often credited with sewing the first national U.S. flag — at the request of George Washington himself, her descendants

02/27/2025

Does anyone recognize this flag?

The painting is a cityscape of Antwerp (~1620-1630).

07/11/2024

A Massachusetts town revises its seal to address the design of its 1894 seal that depicted "a Native American of a tribe that didn’t live in the area and a teepee that the Wampanoag tribe members (who actually lived in the area) didn’t use as their abode." The comments from graphic designers are instructive, as most are focused on logo design, rather than the political and social history of town symbolism.

You Have to Seal it to Believe it

06/17/2024

A police officer’s death sparks community debate over a flag’s contested meaning.

Some members of the Wethersfield Town Council and staff have received death threats since voting to reject a request to fly the thin blue line flag on the day of Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier’s funeral last week. Those that voted against flying the flag cited the town’s flag policy, which ...

06/15/2024

The flag of Vermont History Day.

We are on the ground with our fabulous students this week at National History Day at the University of Maryland in College Park!