American Revolution: USS Alfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Continental Union Flag (precursor to the "Stars and Stripes"); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones.

American Revolution

1765–1783 colonial rebellion in North America

The American Revolution (1765–1783) was a colonial rebellion and war of independence in which the Thirteen Colonies broke from British rule to form the United States of America. The revolutionary era reached its zenith with the American Revolutionary War, which commenced on…

USS Alfred

1774 frigate

USS Alfred was a 24-gun frigate of the Continental Navy. She was originally the merchantman Black Prince which had been launched in 1774. The Continental Navy acquired her in 1775, renaming her Alfred and commissioning her as a frigate. In 1775, Alfred participated in the raid…

Continental Union Flag

First national flag of the United States

The Continental Union Flag was the flag of the United Colonies from 1775 to 1776, and the de facto flag of the United States until 1777, when the 13 star flag was adopted by the Continental Congress. It was a variant of the British 'Red Ensign.'

Flag of the United States

The national flag of the United States, often referred to as the American flag or the U.S. flag, consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset…

John Paul Jones

Scottish-born naval officer (1747–1792)

John Paul Jones was a Scottish-born naval officer who served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. Often referred to as the "Father of the American Navy", Jones is regarded by several commentators as one of the greatest naval commanders in the military…

December 3

Day of the year

December 3 is the 337th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 28 days remain until the end of the year.