I would like to take a moment in honor of our American Flag and the great nation that it represents. I additionally would like to thank all of you, our Veteran brothers and sisters, active and reserve military. Your service, sacrifice, honor and courage has represented our flag throughout history, protected the American people and has preserved our Freedom. We salute you.
Symbolism of the Flag
The U.S. flag is the most widely used symbol of America, representing the many freedoms and rights guaranteed to us by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Additionally, the flag symbolizes the patriotism, honor and courage of all of you, our U.S. Veterans and military personnel, along with our individual liberties stated in the Declaration of Independence. Many other powerful meanings that define America are represented in our flag as well.
“We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty.” -George Washington
Flag Day – Brief History
On June 14, 1777, the Flag Resolution was passed by the the Second Continental Congress, which stated:
“Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Each year thereafter, June 14 has been known as Flag Day.
The U.S. flag consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, representing the thirteen original colonies, with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars, representing our 50 states. Common names of the flag include:”the Stars and Stripes” or “Old Glory.”
Key Dates
• The Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment first hoisted our new flag in June of 1777.
• The American flag flew in battle for the first time at Cooch’s Bridge in Delaware on September 3, 1777 during the American Revolutionary War.
Design
Even to this day, the origin of the U.S. flag design is still uncertain. One story credits Betsy Ross for sewing the first flag from a pencil sketch by George Washington. However, no evidence exists beyond the recollections of what she told her family, which have been reported by her descendents.
When design changes occur, the change always takes place on July 4 in Philadelphia, Pa., stated by the Flag Act of April 4, 1818. The most recent change – from forty-nine stars to fifty – occurred in 1960 after Hawaii gained statehood in August 1959. Robert G. Heft’s design was chosen.
Where the Flag is always Displayed:
• The White House
• The Washington Monument
• Fort McHenry – National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Md.
• Flag House Square – Baltimore, Md.
• U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial – Arlington, Va.
• And many other places of honor and history.
Flag Day
It’s time to break out your American flag and fly it high because June 14th marks Flag Day in the United States. President Harry Truman officially declared Flag Day a holiday on August 3, 1949. Flag Day is said to have first been celebrated way back on June 14, 1885, when schoolteacher BJ Cigrand had his class celebrate the flag’s birthday. Read on for some fun Flag Day facts.
Flag Day Fun Facts
. The first American flag was made in 1776 by a woman named Betsy Ross. At that time there were only 13 stars on the flag for the 13 states. The stars were meant to stand for, “13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
. The American flag today has 13 alternate red and white horizontal stripes which signify the first 13 confederate states of the country. There is also a blue square in the top left-hand corner with 50 with stars. These signify the current 50 states.
. The American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem “The Star Spangled Banner” on September 14, 1814. It later became the national anthem of the United States.
. The white on the American flag stands for purity and innocence, the red for hardiness and valor and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
. Astronaut Neil Armstrong placed the flag on the moon on July 20, 1969. The Moon is the most remote place in which the American flag is displayed, although it can also be found at the North Pole and on top of Mount Everest.
Have a Great U.S. Flag Day!
