03 December - First official U.S. flag raising takes place on the navy ship Alfred.

 

On 03 December 1775, the Continental Navy ship Alfred witnessed a historic moment as the first official raising of the Grand Union Flag, often regarded as the first national flag of the United States. This event occurred in the harbor of Philadelphia during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War. The flag, hoisted by John Paul Jones—then a young lieutenant who would later become one of the greatest heroes of the American Navy—was a symbol of colonial unity and defiance against British rule. The Grand Union Flag featured 13 alternating red and white stripes representing the original colonies, with the Union Jack in the canton, signifying the colonies' allegiance to the British Crown while still seeking reconciliation. This dual symbolism reflected the complex political situation of the time. The raising of the flag aboard the Alfred not only marked the birth of the Continental Navy but also served as a powerful emblem of the burgeoning American identity, setting the stage for the creation of a fully independent United States.