Yellow Gadsden flag, prominent in Capitol takeover, carries a long and shifting history
- Written by Paul Bruski, Associate Professor of Graphic Design, Iowa State University

Flown by many protesters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Gadsden flag has a design that is simple and graphic: a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field with the text “Don’t Tread On Me.” But that simple design hides some...
Read more: Yellow Gadsden flag, prominent in Capitol takeover, carries a long and shifting history