The History of the American Flag
Our American Flag, “Old Glory” or The Star Spangled Banner has survived battles, inspired songs and grew in response of the country it represents. Our flag is as amazing as the country it represents! Its History is awe-inspiring! Interesting customs and facts about our American Flag are stated here and information about how to display it.
(If you enjoy this article, please browse our website menu on left! Please Register on Right for latest innovations as they enter the internet! Thank you!!)
Our Continental Congress passed an act that established our new Nation’s official flag on June 14, 1777. “It is Resolved that: ‘The flag of the United States is thirteen stripes of alternate red and white.’ The union is in a blue field with thirteen white stars, representing a new constellation.” President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14 as Flag Day on Aug. 3, 1949.
Origins of our American Flag:
Some historians think the first flag’s design was by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey Congressman! Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress actually made it.
A sea captain from Massachusetts, William Driver, nicknamed his own 10-by-17 foot flag, Old Glory! This nickname stuck for all American flags until the present day! He flew the flag over the Tennessee Statehouse after the Civil War ended. Our flag is a primary artifact at the National Museum of American History. The last time it was displayed in Tennessee was at an exhibition in 2006. The Smithsonian Institute gave special permission for this exhibition of Driver’s “Old Glory”. This special flag survived many attempts to deface it during the Civil War!
As more states joined the Union, Congress passed acts to change the design, allowing the addition of more stars and stripes.
As of our present day, our American Flag contains 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. Stars on the flag represent 50 states of the Union. The red and white stripes represent the original 13 Colonies, with the red standing for hardiness and valor and the white stands for purity and innocence. Vigilance, justice and perseverance is represented by the blue!
Star Spangled Banner is Born
Francis Scott Key, an amateur, began composing “The Star Spangled Banner” on Sept. 14, 1814! His inspiration came from the 1814 Garrison Flag that remained flying during the 25-hour shelling of Fort McHenry! This Flag is under a long-term preservation project by the National Museum of American History! Our Flag is often known as ‘The Star Spangled Banner’! In 1931, the “Star Spangled Banner” was dubbed our national anthem as official! This preservation effort of our flag began in 1999 and continues to the present! Because it was soiled and weakened over time, the flag was taken from the museum in 1998. Storing it in a special low-oxygen level in a filtered light chamber at a 10 degree angle is part of this effort. It is regularly examined to detect signs of decay or damage within its individually fibers.
The American Flag of the U.S. can fly 24 hours a day, by either presidential proclamation or by law in these locations:
- – The White House, Washington, D.C.
- – United States customs ports of entry
- – National Monument and Historic Shrine, Fort McHenry, Baltimore
- – Flag House Square, Baltimore, Maryland
- – Arlingon, Viginia, United States Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial, Arlington, Virginia – Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, – Lexington, Massachusetts On the Green of the Town of
American Flag Inspirations
James B. Upham and Francis Bellamy were inspired to write The Pledge of Allegiance in 1892. The inspiration to write came from the flag. The Youth’s Companion Magazine were first to publish “The Pledge of Allegiance”.
American Flag on Distant Shores
An American flag, sewn by his wife, Robert Peary placed at the North Pole in 1909. Pieces of another flag were left along the way. It is the only time a person was honored for cutting the flag.
Barry Bishop placed the American flag on top of Mount Everest in 1963.
Neil Armstrong placed the flag on the moon in July 1969. Flags flew on the lunar surface on each of six manned landings during the Apollo program.
An American flag flew for the first time overseas in Libya, on a foreign fort. That was over Fort Derne on the shores of Tripoli in 1805.
Displaying the Stars and Stripes
Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. Raise it quickly and briskly and lower it ceremoniously. Do not display the flag In inclement weather. Display the flag daily and on all holidays, weather permitting, on or near the main buildings of all public institutions. Display the flag in or near every polling place on election days and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.
Displaying the flag flat against a wall/window or vertically, the field of stars must be uppermost and to the left of the observer.
When the flag is raising or lowering as part of a ceremony, and as it passes by in parade, everyone except those in uniform, should face the flag with the right hand over the heart.
The U.S. flag is never to be dipping toward any person or object. The flag should never, ever touch anything beneath it.
*****