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episode 3

The Gadsden Flag

The “Don’t Tread on Me” flag is such a potent symbol of independence that it has been co-opted by a wide variety of Americans over its long history. 

Episode 3

Did You Know?

Snakes on a Ship

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Can You Guess?

How much do you really know about your favorite icon? Sharpen your #2 pencil and get ready to test your talent for trivia. You may begin now.

How was the peace sign used before anti-war movements?

Answer
Small-sized round badge, displaying the logo of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 1960s.

The peace sign was first used for another peaceful purpose in the 1950s, when it was developed as the logo of the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Another independence themed colonial flag featured this image, usually reserved for Christmastime

  • A branch of holly
  • A pine tree
  • A red stocking
Answer
Pine Tree flag, created by IMeowbot (talk)., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

b. A pine tree

Although the Gadsden Flag was the one to endure, one alternative flag depicted the image of a pine tree with the slogan “An Appeal to Heaven” floating above it.

To protest the war in Vietnam, what famous couple stayed in bed for days on end?

  • Sonny and Cher
  • Bert and Ernie
  • John Lennon and Yoko Ono
Answer
John Lennon and Yoko Ono at the first day of their Amsterdam bed-in

c. John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Yoko and Lennon’s Bed-Ins were major events. While reporters snapped photos, the couple led chants and sang “Give Peace a Chance” from under the covers.

CLIPS FROM THIS EPISODE

Flags and Meaning in America

The Gadsden Flag Preview

Standing Against Tyranny

Flags 101 – The Gadsden Flag

FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE

The Gadsden Flag
The Gadsden Flag
Congressman Adam Kinzinger
Congressman Adam Kinzinger
Hasan Jeffries
Hasan Jeffries
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
The American Flag
The American Flag
The Gadsden Flag
The Gadsden Flag
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
The US Capitol Building
The US Capitol Building
Boston Harbor
Boston Harbor
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
A statue of an eagle
A statue of an eagle
David Rubenstein
David Rubenstein
Adam Kinzinger with David Rubenstein
Adam Kinzinger with David Rubenstein
The US Capitol Building
The US Capitol Building
The Gadsden Flag
The Gadsden Flag
An older man holding up a photo of a young soldier.
John Twist
Nick Butler
Nick Butler
Sarah Duke
Sarah Duke
Michael B. Moore and David Rubenstein have a conversation
Michael B. Moore and David Rubenstein
Sam Walley
Sam Walley
Mike McGuiness
Mike McGuiness
The Gadsden Flag
The Gadsden Flag
Matt Kibbe
Matt Kibbe
John Twist
John Twist
Amber Paranick
Amber Paranick
Mary Beth Altier
Mary Beth Altier
Marc Leepson
Marc Leepson
Congressman James Clyburn
Congressman James Clyburn
Joe Morrissey
Joe Morrissey
Walter Isaacson
Walter Isaacson
David Rubenstein
John Twist

Episode Producers

Sam LaCroix

Sam LaCroix

With over a decade of experience in the field, Sam LaCroix is a seasoned and passionate producer/director with a focus on the human story at the heart of every documentary. His credits include the Netflix Emmy-nominated series Abstract: The Art of Design and High Score, as well as Hulu’s Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi and CNN’s This Is Life with Lisa Ling.