The United States Flag, often affectionately known as the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, or the Star-Spangled Banner, stands as a powerful and revered emblem of American identity. This iconic flag consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, complemented by a blue rectangle in the upper left-hand corner that proudly displays 50 white stars, each representing one of the United States. The 13 stripes symbolize the original 13 British colonies that bravely declared independence from Great Britain, ultimately forming the nation’s first states. Its design and evolution encapsulate centuries of American history and the principles of freedom, democracy, justice, and the sacrifices made to uphold them.
The Genesis of a Nation’s Symbol: Early Flags and the American Revolution
Before the full eruption of the American Revolution in 1775, the burgeoning rebellion against Great Britain was not initially a movement for complete independence. Instead, it was a quest for fair representation within Parliament. As the conflict escalated from protests to a full-blown revolution, the colonies did not initially unite under a single banner. Instead, they rallied under diverse unit and regimental flags, each bearing distinct designs and powerful slogans such as “Don’t Tread on Me,” “An Appeal to Heaven,” and “Liberty or Death.”
The Grand Union Flag: Unifying the Colonies
In June 1775, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, establishing a united colonial fighting force known as the Continental Army. Soon after, the “Grand Union Flag,” also recognized as the “Continental Colors,” the “Congress Flag,” the “Cambridge Flag,” and the “First Navy Ensign,” was developed. This flag is widely considered to be the first national flag of the United States of America. It showcased 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the Thirteen Colonies, with a canton (upper left corner) featuring the flag of the Kingdom of Great Britain. This design was a pragmatic compromise between those seeking total independence and those still hoping for accommodation with the Crown. The Continental military proudly flew this flag until early 1777, marking a pivotal, albeit transitional, moment in the visual identity of the nascent nation.
The Official Adoption of the Stars and Stripes
Following the declaration of independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, General George Washington recognized the urgent need for a flag that would clearly distinguish the new nation from its adversary. Consequently, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a landmark resolution establishing an official flag for the United States. The resolution boldly stated 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 momentous decision officially birthed the design that would eventually become the enduring symbol we recognize today as the United States Flag.
The Enduring Mystery of Betsy Ross
Generations have been taught the cherished tale that Betsy Ross crafted the first American flag in 1776, purportedly at the request of George Washington. However, factual evidence directly supporting this claim remains sparse. What is documented is that Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, submitted a bill to Congress for “designing the flag,” famously requesting “two casks of ale” as payment. More than a century later, in 1870, Betsy Ross’s grandson asserted that his grandmother recounted a meeting with Washington and others where the flag was designed. While she was an upholsterer who produced flags for the Pennsylvania Navy, suggesting a potential role in its creation, the absence of any contemporary drawing or written description leaves the specific details shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, this initial flag is often lovingly referred to as “The Betsy Ross Flag.”
Evolution and Standardization of the United States Flag
As the young republic grew, so did its flag. After the Revolutionary War, Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union in 1792. In response, 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 and 15-stripe flag, which gained lasting fame as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It was this very flag, flying resiliently over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, during the War of 1812, that inspired Francis Scott Key to compose what would later become our national anthem in 1931.
The Third Flag Act of 1818: Returning to 13 Stripes
With more states joining the Union, the 15-stripe design quickly became crowded and impractical. This prompted Congress to pass the Third Flag Act in 1818, which wisely dictated a return to the original configuration of 13 alternating red and white stripes. Crucially, this act also mandated that one star would be added for each new state, to be effective on the Fourth of July following the state’s admission. Interestingly, while the flag acts explicitly defined the number of stars and stripes and their colors, they never specified the exact arrangement of the stars, the number of points each star should have, or the precise placement of the blue field. This lack of detailed guidance led to the creation of several uniquely proportioned and interesting flag designs throughout the years, such as the “Great Star Flag” of 1837 and the “Wagon Wheel Flag” of 1865, before standardized designs emerged.
The Flag as a National Emblem and Symbol of Unity
Initially, the U.S. Flag was primarily reserved for military and government use, often custom-made by sailmakers or upholsterers. It wasn’t until the Civil War erupted that the flag began to be widely displayed by individuals. During this tumultuous period, it became a powerful and popular symbol of the North, leading manufacturers to make flags more readily available to the public. In 1892, Francis Bellamy penned The Pledge of Allegiance, which was first published in The Youth’s Companion magazine, further embedding the flag into American civic life.
Significant steps toward standardization and national observance were taken in the early 20th century. In 1912, President William Taft signed an executive order that, for the first time, clarified the flag’s exact proportions and the precise arrangement of its stars. Just four years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14, commemorating the anniversary of the 1777 Flag Resolution. This observance became a legal designation in 1949 when President Harry Truman signed legislation officially recognizing National Flag Day on June 14 of each year. Today, citizens are actively encouraged to proudly display the U.S. flag outside their homes and businesses.
Honoring the Flag: The U.S. Flag Code and Etiquette
On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution that encompassed what is now known as the U.S. Flag Code. The primary objective of this code is to ensure that the flag and its likeness are treated with the utmost respect, preventing its image from being cheapened or tarnished by improper use. It is important to note that the Flag Code does not prescribe penalties for non-compliance, nor does it include enforcement provisions; rather, it functions as a comprehensive guide for voluntary civilian compliance, fostering a shared understanding of appropriate reverence for the national emblem.
Key Flag Etiquette Guidelines:
- Members of the armed services and veterans are expected to stand at attention and salute when the flag passes in a parade or when it is hoisted or lowered; civilians should place their right hand over their hearts.
- The flag should typically be displayed from sunrise to sunset unless it is properly illuminated at night.
- It should be displayed at every public institution, including schools, when they are open, and in or near every polling place on election days.
- The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or people.
- It should not be displayed upside down except as a signal of extreme distress or danger.
- The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally but always aloft and free, symbolizing its aspirational nature.
- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery, nor should its image be printed on disposable items like paper napkins or boxes.
- It should never be used for any advertising purpose.
- The flag should always be displayed, used, or stored safely to prevent it from being easily torn, soiled, or damaged.
- When the flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious manner, preferably by burning.
Symbolism and Fascinating Facts about Old Glory
The Colors Speak:
The colors chosen for the United States Flag are deeply symbolic: red represents hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. These attributes collectively embody the ideals upon which the nation was founded and continues to strive for.
Historical Tidbits:
- The name “Old Glory” was bestowed upon a large, 10-by-17-foot flag by its owner, William Driver, a sea captain from Massachusetts. This particular flag famously survived multiple attempts to deface it during the Civil War.
- The very flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner” is preserved and on permanent display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. A snippet of this historic flag even sold at auction for $38,000 in 2011.
- There are several notable locations where the U.S. flag is flown 24 hours a day, either by presidential proclamation or by law. These include Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland; Flag House Square in Baltimore; the United States Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima) in Arlington, Virginia; on the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts; The White House in Washington, D.C.; all United States customs ports of entry; and the Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Pennsylvania.
- Over its history, there have been 27 official versions of the flag, each reflecting the growth of the nation.
- The initial design of the first flag was famously commissioned with a payment of “three strings of wampum” by Thomas Green, an American Indian. In 1777, seeking protection with an official flag for travel, Green offered this traditional shell bead payment to Congress, which within ten days led to the resolution finalizing the flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes.
- Pennsylvania holds the unique distinction as the only state that observes Flag Day as a legal state holiday.
- Our national flag has been planted on several distant shores: in 1805, it was flown overseas for the first time at a foreign fort in Libya on the shores of Tripoli; in 1909, Robert Peary placed an American flag, sewn by his wife, at the North Pole; in 1963, Barry Bishop placed the American flag on top of Mount Everest; and most famously, in July 1969, the American flag was “flown” into space when Neil Armstrong placed it on the Moon.
- The current 50-star pattern used today was ingeniously created by a 17-year-old high school student, Robert G. Heft, as part of a class project for which he initially received a B- grade.
Conclusion: An Enduring Symbol of American Ideals
The United States Flag has been an integral part of the nation’s narrative since its inception. For nearly two and a half centuries, it has served as a profound source of inspiration, giving rise to holidays, songs, poems, books, and countless works of art. More than just a piece of cloth, it embodies our nationalism and profoundly represents the freedom, democracy, justice, and the true meaning of being an American. Recognized today as a worldwide symbol of aspiration and liberty, the history of our flag is as rich and fascinating as that of the American Republic itself. It continually honors the everlasting memory of those who have bravely sacrificed their lives defending these intrinsic principles of the United States of America, standing as a timeless beacon of hope and resilience.
