January 1, 1776, General George Washington orders the Great Union flag to placed atop Prospect Hill, Somerville, MA, (then known as Charlestown Across the Neck), a flag that could be seen far and wide, including by all the British in Boston, letting them know of the Colonist’s resolve toward its own independence.

It is the first American flag planted on U.S. soil “We had hoisted the Union Flag in compliment to the United Colonies.” said Washington. Today we celebrate the 240th Anniversary of the Raising of that flag here in Somerville.