Order of the Star-Spangled Banner

The Order of the Star-Spangled Banner was a secret society formed in the United States in the mid-19th century, primarily during the 1850s. Its members opposed immigration, particularly from Ireland and Germany, and sought to promote American nationalism. The group, known for its exclusionary views, believed in maintaining American Anglo-Saxon cultural dominance. They adopted rituals and symbols, including the U.S. flag, to assert their ideals. The Order played a role in the rise of nativist sentiments and eventually influenced political movements, including the Know-Nothing Party, which sought to limit the influence of immigrants in American society.