Historic American Flags in Frontierland at Disneyland Park

The Fourth of July is the perfect time to celebrate those who have explored new frontiers in the United States. In fact, Walt Disney dedicated Frontierland in Disneyland park by saying: “Frontierland is a tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of the pioneers who blazed the trails across America.”

If you are looking for ways to celebrate our nation, take a moment to appreciate the flags on top of the Frontierland Landing the next time you board the Mark Twain Riverboat or the Sailing Ship Columbia. Each of these eight flags represent significant moments in American history.

In honor of our Independence Day, let’s take a closer look at plaques mounted to each flagpole.

• The John Cabot Flag: The first flag flown over the mainland of America. Under this flag, the Constant brought the settlers to Jamestown in 1607 and the Mayflower, the Pilgrim fathers, in 1620.
• The Kings’ Colors Flag: The banner under which the English colonization of America was effected, it remained the flag of the colonists for more than 100 years.
• The Continental Flag: This flag entirely eliminated the British emblems from the colonial banner and was carried by American troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
• The Pine Tree Flag: The first flag carried by the then infant American Navy, which consisted of only one fleet of six ships.
• The Grand Union Flag: This flag marks the beginning of our national existence and was raised at Cambridge by General Washington in 1776.
• The Betsy Ross Flag (13 Stars and 13 Stripes): The first American flag formally adopted by the Continental Congress in 1777. The stars symbolize the new constellation of states rising in the west. The stripes represent the number of United Colonies.
• The Star Spangled Banner (15 Stars and 15 Stripes): This flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words of our national anthem during the British attack on Fort McHenry in 1814.
• The First “Old Glory” (14 Stars and 13 Stripes): In 1831 a sea captain named William Driver, in command of the brig Charles Doggett, was preparing to sail from Salem, Mass. The flag was hoisted and when it unfurled, Capt. Driver was moved to call it “Old Glory.”

Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July from all of us at the Disneyland Resort!

Historic American Flags in Frontierland at Disneyland Park by Tyler Slater: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog