Origins of USMC Flag

Did you know the USMC flag changed several times since the 1800s? As is with many national flags from all over the world, the Marine Corps changed theirs too. The United States Marine Corp changed their flag five times since 1776 before it became the version seen today.

The first version of the Corp flag was an unofficial one known as the Grand Union Flag. A theory is that this flag had a composition consisting of continental colors. Continental colors are a design of thirteen alternating red and white stripes with a British Union Jack in the canton. Although, the flag was not officially recognized, it is considered the first American flag inspiring the design of the thirteen star Betsy Ross flag.

Several years later during the 1830s and 1840s, the United States Marine Corps flag carried a white flag with gold fringe. Its designed displayed an eagle and anchor bearing the phrase, “To the shores of Tripoli.” After the Mexican-American War, the phrase became, “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.”

Show your United States Marine Corp pride.  Hoo ra!