<P> The group's name is derived from the claim that only three percent of the population of the thirteen British colonies of North America fought the British in the American Revolution . (Current scholarship holds that at least 15% of the overall population are estimated to have served in either the Continental Army or state militias, about 375,000 people served a nation of 2.5 million--a participation rate higher than in most other US - American military conflicts .) </P> <P> The movement was started on December 17, 2008 . The movement was co-founded by Mike Vanderboegh from Alabama, a member of the Oath Keepers, a group with whom the 3 Percenters remain loosely allied . Vanderboegh claims to have formerly been a member of Students for a Democratic Society and the Socialist Workers Party, but abandoned left - wing politics and politics in general in 1977 after being introduced to libertarianism . Beginning in November 2008, Vanderboegh began promoting the movement on his blog "Sipsey Street Irregulars ." The "Three Percenters Club" website was established in 2011 by Michael Graham . </P> <P> The "Nyberg Three Percent Flag," designed by Gayle Nyberg in 2008, is based on the Betsy Ross flag with the Roman numeral III inscribed in the circle of thirteen stars . </P> <P> Vanderboegh self - published a serial novel online, Absolved, in 2008, described as "a cautionary tale for the out - of - control gun cops of the ATF ." </P>

American flag with circle of stars and roman numeral 2