Changes

===Rattlesnake Symbol===

===Rattlesnake Symbol===

[[File:Join-die.jpg|right|175px]]

[[File:Join-die.jpg|right|175px]]

The rattlesnake symbol and the "Don't tread on me" slogan were at first not used together; in fact, early American snake symbolism, at first, had nothing to do with American independence from [[Britain]]. Benjamin Franklin is famous for his sense of humor. In 1751, he wrote a satirical commentary in his Pennsylvania Gazette suggesting that as a way to thank the Brits for their policy of sending convicted felons to America, American colonists should send [[rattlesnake|rattlesnakes]] to [[England]].  

The rattlesnake symbol and the "Don't tread on me" slogan were at first not used together; in fact, early American snake symbolism, at first, had nothing to do with American independence from [[Britain]]. Benjamin Franklin is famous for his sense of humor. In 1751, he wrote a satirical commentary in his Pennsylvania Gazette suggesting that as a way to thank the Brits for their policy of sending convicted felons to America, American colonists should send [[rattlesnake]]s to [[England]].  

Three years later, in 1754, he used a snake to illustrate another point. This time not so humorous.

Three years later, in 1754, he used a snake to illustrate another point. This time not so humorous.

==Gadsden Flag History==

==Gadsden Flag History==

''See: [[U.S._Marine_Corps#Founding_of_the_Marine_Corps|The origins of the Gadsden flag, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps]]''

''See: [[U.S. Marine Corps#Founding of the Marine Corps|The origins of the Gadsden flag, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps]]''

The snake symbol morphed quite a bit during its rapid, widespread adoption. It wasn't cut up into pieces anymore. And it was usually shown as an American timber rattlesnake, not a generic serpent. By 1775, at the birth of the [[U.S. Navy]] and the [[U.S. Marine Corps]], some of the Marines that enlisted during the first month in Philadelphia may have also been the first American citizens to combine the rattlesnake symbol, seen on the Gadsden Flag, with a defiant "Don't Tread on Me" slogan.  

The snake symbol morphed quite a bit during its rapid, widespread adoption. It wasn't cut up into pieces anymore. And it was usually shown as an American timber rattlesnake, not a generic serpent. By 1775, at the birth of the [[U.S. Navy]] and the [[U.S. Marine Corps]], some of the Marines that enlisted during the first month in Philadelphia may have also been the first American citizens to combine the rattlesnake symbol, seen on the Gadsden Flag, with a defiant "Don't Tread on Me" slogan.  

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==Also See==

==See also==

* [[Rattlesnake (American symbol)]]

* [[Rattlesnake (American symbol)]]

* [[Tea_Party_Movement#Symbols|Tea Party Movement (Symbols)]]

* [[Tea Party Movement#Symbols|Tea Party Movement (Symbols)]]

[[Category:United States of America]]

[[Category:United States of America]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category: Flags]]

[[Category:Flags]]