HISTORY OF THE FLAG
On June 14th, our Nation recognizes the observance of Flag Day.
And although we as citizens of this great country don't usually get
as excited about this date as we do with some of the other holiday
observances, it still remains an important date for all of us to
reflect upon. The importance of a flag lies in its symbolism rather
than in its material or size; its color and design are the basis for
expressing that symbolism. In the United States, cities, counties,
states, military units, businesses, churches, scout organizations,
labor groups, political parties, private yachtsmen, and many others
have distinctive flags. The histories of the flags of Hawaii, Texas,
and South Carolina would require entire books to recount.
Surprisingly, the origins of the national flag, the Stars and
Stripes, are somewhat obscure. The flag was officially adopted on
June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress resolved that "the Flag
of the United States be 13 stripes alternate red and white, that the
Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new
constellation." Its immediate predecessor, the Continental Colors,
had consisted of 13 horizontal red and white stripes for the 13
colonies represented in the Continental Congress, with the British
Union Jack as a canton to indicate that the rebels were demanding the
historic rights of British citizens. How and why stars were chosen to
replace the Union Jack is not known. Stars were uncommon in flags in
that era, although the American example has since made them popular.
The colors red, white, and blue were clearly derived from British
sources; many English flags had red and white stripes. Americans at
the time of the national centennial in 1876 warmed to the popular
story about the young seamstress Betsy Ross, who supposedly sewed the
first flag for George Washington. Although according to historical
records she did indeed make flags, no evidence indicates that she was
involved in making or designing the first Stars and Stripes, and the
validity of the traditional story is doubtful.
After Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, 2 stars and 2
stripes were added in 1795 to the flag. Such a 15-star, 15-stripe
flag--now preserved in the Smithsonian Institution--inspired Francis
Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." The words of "The
Star-Spangled Banner" were written by Mr. Key on Sept. 14, 1814,
inspired by the sight of the U.S. flag at Fort McHenry withstanding a
nightlong bombardment from an offshore British warship.
He indicated that the words were to be sung to the Anacreontic
song, a melody he had used 9 years earlier for another poem. "The
Star- Spangled Banner" attained popularity quickly but was no more
prominent as a patriotic air than "Yankee Doodle" or "Hail Columbia."
During the Civil War it was adopted informally as an anthem by the
Union Army, and it was adopted officially by the U.S. Army during
World War I. It did not become the U.S. national anthem, however,
until signed into law by President Herbert Hoover on Mar. 3, 1931.
The design of the flag was changed again in 1818, when the
decision was made to keep the 13 stripes permanently and add stars to
indicate the current number of states in the Union. Altogether the
Stars and Stripes has been through 27 versions, the most recent
introduced on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii was admitted to statehood.
Until 1912 no official pattern existed for the arrangement of the
stars. Flags of the 19th century varied greatly in their star
patterns, in the number of points on the stars, in the shades of red
and blue, in the width-to- length ratio of the flag, and in other
details. Design and color were first standardized in the 20th
century.
Traditionally flags have been respected, and rules have governed
their display. During the 20th century, however, flag etiquette has
received particular attention, especially in the United States and
other countries where the flag is a primary focus of patriotism. In
the United States the anniversary of the flag's adoption (June 14)
has been celebrated as Flag Day since 1916; it is a legal holiday in
Pennsylvania.
In 1942 the U.S. Congress adopted a Flag Code, subsequently
amended, setting forth uniform procedures for displaying the flag in
a respectful manner. The two most important guides are tradition and
common sense. For example, the U.S. flag had traditionally been flown
only during daytime, but since the activities of the nation go on 24
hours a day, and because raising and lowering the flag every day is
expensive, in recent years it has become common to fly the flag at
night.
The Flag Code includes rules for displaying the flag at half
staff to mourn the dead and for displaying the flag on special
holidays, in parades, with the flag of the United Nations, in meeting
halls, and in other similar circumstances. The following is the
official salute to the flag: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one
Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
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