The United States Flag – History & Facts
The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner – these are just a few of the affectionate nicknames given to the flag of the United States of America, a powerful emblem that has evolved through the nation’s history. More than just a piece of cloth, this flag represents the ideals, struggles, and triumphs of a nation built on the principles of freedom, democracy, and justice.
A Symbol of Unity: Design and Meaning
The American flag is instantly recognizable, a visual representation of the nation’s identity. It comprises thirteen horizontal stripes of equal width, alternating between red and white. These stripes are not merely decorative; they are a historical tribute to the original thirteen British colonies that bravely declared their independence from Great Britain, laying the foundation for the United States.
Nestled in the upper left-hand corner, also known as the canton, is a blue rectangle, a field of azure that serves as a backdrop for fifty white, five-pointed stars. These stars, meticulously arranged, symbolize the fifty states that comprise the Union, each star representing a unique and integral part of the nation.
Early Flags of Resistance
Before the eruption of the American Revolution in 1775, the colonists did not rally under a single banner. The early stages of the rebellion against British rule were not initially a quest for independence but rather a struggle for representation within the British Parliament. During this period, various colonial militias and nascent revolutionary groups flew their own flags, each bearing unique designs and rallying cries.
Slogans such as "Don’t Tread on Me," a defiant warning often accompanied by a coiled rattlesnake, and "An Appeal to Heaven," invoking divine support for their cause, were common. Other flags bore the stark choice of "Liberty or Death," encapsulating the colonists’ determination to fight for their freedom. These diverse flags reflected the decentralized nature of the early resistance, with each colony and region asserting its own identity while united in their grievances against British policies.
The Grand Union Flag: A Step Towards Unity
As the movement for independence gained momentum, the need for a unified symbol became apparent. In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and took a significant step by establishing the Continental Army, a unified colonial fighting force. Soon after, the "Grand Union Flag," also known as the "Continental Colors," emerged as a symbol of this newfound unity.
This flag featured thirteen alternating red and white stripes, directly foreshadowing the design of the future national flag. However, in its upper left corner, it retained the flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain, a visual representation of the complex and evolving relationship between the colonies and the crown.
The Grand Union Flag served as the first national flag of the United States, flown by the Continental Army, the Continental Navy, and a small contingent of Continental Marines. It represented a compromise, appealing to those who sought complete independence and those who still hoped for reconciliation with Britain. The Continental military utilized this flag until early 1777, marking a crucial period of transition in the nation’s symbolic representation.
The Birth of the Stars and Stripes
The Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, irrevocably altered the course of the American Revolution. General George Washington, recognizing the need for a flag that did not resemble that of the enemy, urged the Continental Congress to adopt a new national symbol.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a resolution that would forever define the identity of the United States. The resolution declared that "the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white" and that "the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." This resolution officially established the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States of America.
The Betsy Ross Legend
The story of Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, has become deeply ingrained in American folklore. Generations of schoolchildren have learned that she sewed the first American flag in 1776, after being commissioned by George Washington himself. However, historical evidence supporting this claim is scant.
While Betsy Ross was indeed an upholsterer who made flags for the Pennsylvania Navy, there is no contemporary documentation to confirm her role in designing or creating the first American flag. Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, submitted a bill to Congress for "designing the flag," requesting payment of "two casks of ale."
The Betsy Ross story gained prominence in the late 19th century, largely through the efforts of her grandson, who recounted her version of events to the Historical Society of Philadelphia in 1870. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the "Betsy Ross flag," with its thirteen stars arranged in a circle, remains a popular and enduring symbol of American patriotism.
The Star-Spangled Banner and Subsequent Modifications
As the United States expanded, with Vermont and Kentucky joining the Union in 1792, the flag underwent its first modifications. In 1794, Congress passed a second flag act, stipulating that one stripe and one star would be added for each new state. This resulted in a 15-star, 15-stripe flag, which became known as the Star-Spangled Banner.
This flag flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, during the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later became the national anthem of the United States in 1931.
The continued growth of the nation led to concerns that the flag would become unwieldy with ever-increasing stripes. In 1818, Congress passed the Third Flag Act, which addressed this issue by returning the flag to its original thirteen stripes, representing the original colonies, and stipulating that one star would be added for each new state, with the new star being added on the Fourth of July following the state’s admission to the Union.
Evolution of Design and Symbolism
While the flag acts specified the colors and elements of the flag, they left considerable room for interpretation. The arrangement of the stars, their number of points, and the proportions of the flag were not explicitly defined. This led to the creation of numerous variations throughout the 19th century, some with unique and visually striking arrangements of the stars. Examples include the "Great Star Flag," with stars arranged in a single large star, and the "Wagon Wheel Flag," with stars radiating outwards from the center.
The Flag as a National Symbol
The Civil War era marked a turning point in the flag’s role as a national symbol. Before the war, flags were primarily produced for military and governmental purposes, often custom-made by sailmakers or upholsterers. However, as the flag became a potent symbol of the Union cause, manufacturers began producing flags for wider distribution, making them accessible to ordinary citizens.
In 1892, Francis Bellamy penned the Pledge of Allegiance, which was first published in "The Youth’s Companion" magazine. This pledge further solidified the flag’s importance as a symbol of national unity and loyalty.
Standardization and Flag Day
In 1912, President William Taft issued an executive order that standardized the proportions of the flag and the arrangement of the stars, bringing uniformity to its design. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day, commemorating the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.
In 1949, President Harry Truman signed legislation designating National Flag Day on June 14 of each year, encouraging citizens to display the U.S. flag at their homes and businesses.
The Flag Code and Etiquette
The U.S. Flag Code, established in 1942, provides guidelines for the proper display and treatment of the flag. While the code does not carry legal penalties for non-compliance, it serves as a guide for respecting the flag as a symbol of the nation.
The Flag Code outlines rules for displaying the flag, including when and where it should be flown, how it should be handled, and how it should be disposed of when it is no longer in suitable condition. It emphasizes the importance of treating the flag with dignity and respect, ensuring that it is not subjected to disrespect or desecration.
Enduring Symbolism and Legacy
The flag of the United States has served as a source of inspiration for countless songs, poems, books, and works of art. It embodies the nation’s ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, and opportunity. The flag has been carried to distant shores, planted on the Moon, and flown in the face of adversity, representing the enduring spirit of the American people.
From its humble beginnings as a symbol of colonial resistance to its current status as a global icon, the American flag has undergone a remarkable evolution. Its history is inextricably intertwined with the history of the United States, a testament to the nation’s enduring quest for a more perfect union.
Flag Facts:
- The name Old Glory was given to a large flag by its owner, William Driver, a sea captain from Massachusetts.
- The flag’s colors are symbolic: red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
- The flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" remains on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
- There are a few locations where the U.S. flag is flown 24 hours a day, by either presidential proclamation or by law.
- There have been 27 official versions of the flag over the years.
- The 50-star pattern used today was created by a 17-year-old high school student, Robert G. Heft, as part of a class project.
- Five of the six flags planted on the Moon still stand.
- The 50-star flag is the first to have lasted more than 50 years.
- The Pledge of Allegiance was written in part to sell flags to schools.
The U.S. flag stands as a potent reminder of the nation’s past, a symbol of its present, and a beacon of hope for its future.