We’ve come a long way since the Pilgrims.

Let’s see, there’s been the Model T. Springsteen. Corn dogs. The guy who invented corn dogs. Slip ’N Slides. Bourbon. Adventures in Babysitting. South Dakota. The Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms.

What a ride.

But all throughout our storied and illustrious past, one thing has remained constant...

Red, white and blue swimsuits.

And with that, it’s time to pay homage to America the Beautiful, a delicately amassed slideshow dedicated to flag-like beachwear and the beautiful patriots who wear it.

As for what you can expect from this little pre-Fourth pictorial send-off... well, bikinis. Lots of them.

Honorary American Gisele puts forth a nice effort in a stringy number with stars and stripes. Frankie Rayder replaces clothes with an American flag. And if you happen to come across the occasional paint-spattered Kate Moss, go with it (hey, pictures don’t have British accents).

But since no exploration of statesmanlike swimwear would be complete without throwback appearances from the likes of Christie Brinkley and Cindy Crawford, expect cameos from them as well.

And at least one mole.