The true story of this historic American flag is shrouded in mystery. Oral tradition associates this flag with the Revolutionary War and states that this flag was present at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777; this legend declares that the flag flew over the military stores in Bennington, Vermont. The American militia, led by General John Stark, defeated a large British raiding force thus protecting the military supplies at Bennington.
The original flag is still in existence and is preserved at a museum in Bennington, Vermont. Nathaniel Fillmore, grandfather of United States President Millard Fillmore, owned the flag. In 1926 it was donated to the people of Bennington by the last Fillmore family owner.
Unlike virtually all other flags with 13 stripes, the Bennington Flag starts and ends with white stripes rather than the traditional red stripes. In the canton, under an arch of stars is the number "76" referring to the date of the Declaration of Independence. Some consider that this flag was made for the 1824 visit of France's General Lafayette to the U.S. or for the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1826.
Regardless of the true history, this flag is a striking symbol of the American Revolutionary Spirit.
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