"We hold these truths - July 4, 1776” v-neck shirt

Our original design, celebrating July 4th and our nation's Declaration of Independence. The shirt has “1776" on the front, and our nation's first flag.

Note that this shirt does not have an imprint on the back.  If you want an excerpt of the text from the Declaration on the back of your shirt, you will want to get the crew neck shirt.

Our design is printed on the same super soft 4.2 ounce t-shirt from Next Level that features a long flattering cut and a deep V. Click on the "See size chart" button below to view the measurements before you select your size. Based on the feedback from buyers, one of whom characterized it as more of a "feminine fit," you might want to order a size larger than you would if you were ordering a standard men's/unisex shirt.

Care: We recommend that these tri-blend shirts be hung to dry rather than placed in the dryer. This will prolong their life and minimize pilling.

If you have never worn a high-quality poly-cotton shirt before, you’ll want to read this first.

This design is also available on a crewneck shirt in antique denim, crewneck sweatshirt in charcoal, and a grey tank top.

Also in a white 100% cotton Made in USA shirt and on a polycotton shirt in light blue heather, and silver with the 1776 on the front and text from the Declaration at the back.

Also available on a dry-fit style long-sleeved moisture-wicking 100% polyester interlock shirt with SPF 40+ UV protection.

You can also find this design on a static cling, vinyl decal, and boxed notecards with envelope.

Shop for more 1776 products in this collection.

→ Shipping is $4.95, regardless of the number of shirts you order, so order one and all the rest ship for free.

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About the flag

By the end of 1775, during the first year of the American Revolutionary War, the Second Continental Congress operated as a de facto war government authorizing the creation of an Army, a Navy and even a small Marine Corps. A new flag was needed to represent the Congress and fledgling nation, initially the United Colonies, with a banner distinct from the British Red Ensign flown from civilian and merchant vessels, the White Ensign of theBritish Royal Navy, and the British Union flags carried by the British Army's men on land. Individual states had been using their own independent flags with Massachusetts using the Taunton Flag and New York using the George Rex Flag prior to the adoption of the Grand Union Flag.

The U.S. colonists' (Continental Colour) was first hoisted on the colonial warship Alfred, in the harbor on the western shore of the Delaware River at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 3, 1775, by newly-appointed Lieutenant John Paul Jones of the formative Continental Navy. The event had been documented in letters to Congress and eyewitness accounts. The flag was used by the U.S. Continental Army forces as both a naval ensign and garrison flag throughout 1776 and early 1777.

It is not known for certain when or by whom the design of the Continental Colors was created, but the flag could easily be produced by sewing white stripes onto the British Red Ensigns. The "Alfred" flag has been credited to Margaret Manny.

It was widely believed that the flag was raised by George Washington's Army on New Year's Day, 1776, at Prospect Hill in Charlestown (now part of Somerville), near his headquarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts, (across the Charles River to the north from Boston), which was then surrounding and laying siege to the British forces then occupying the city, and that the flag was interpreted by British military observers in the city under commanding General Thomas Gage, as a sign of surrender.[5] Some scholars dispute the traditional account and conclude that the flag raised at Prospect Hill was probably a British union flag.

The name "Grand Union" is contemporary to Reconstruction-era historians and was first applied to the Continental Colors by George Henry Preble, in his 1872 History of the American Flag.

Source: Wikipedia.

The hang tag that accompanies the shirt includes a lengthy quote from John Adams, writing from Philadelphia on July 3

All shirt and hangtag designs and text are copyrighted by The History List, and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.