Freedom is the symbol represented by the United States of America. It has six white and seven red stripes that stand for the 13 original colonies. It also has a blue canton at the top left corner with a star for every state. These stars increase every time a new state joins the union.
The flag of the United States is rich in history and has over the years changed its appearance. During the Revolutionary War, the militias fought under different flags. These included a white background flag with the words “An Appeal to Heaven” and a pine tree. There was also a black and white striped flag with the words “Don’t Tread on Me” and a rattlesnake. Others were the Sons of Liberty flag, a Forster flag, a new England flag, and the Grand Union flag. The Grand Union Flag was designed with a total of 13 stripes, alternating red and white, while a British Union Jack was on the upper left-hand corner. They used this flag in 1776 during the American Revolution.
Five months later, there was a new flag that almost looked like the Grand Union’s. They designed it with alternating red and white stripes, but a circle of 13 white stars replaced the British Union Jack. The following year saw different conflicting flags released. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress created a flag and mandated that it would have thirteen stripes. The red and white colors would alternate, while the union would have a blue background with thirteen white stars to represent a new constellation. They did not define the layout of the stars, and this saw several patterns designed.
One of the designs was the ring of stars, which is famously known as the Betsy Ross flag. Allegedly, she was the designer of the first flag with stripes, stars, and the ring pattern. However, the story is unconfirmed since Francis Hopkins, a congressman, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence is also alleged to have designed it, with the ring of stars symbolizing the new constellation. There are also stories of John Hopkins designing it while Betsy Ross was the seamstress. Francis Hopkins did lay claims to the designing of the US flag and that of the Navy. He alone made such claims and over the years sent several bills and letters to Congress for this. In the letters, Hopkins asks for a “Quarter Cask of the Public Wine.” This phrase was supposed to mean payment for the designing of the flag, the Continental currency and seals like that of the Admiralty board, the treasury board, and the great United States. In several letters, Hopkins asked to get paid in cash without mentioning designing the flag. Instead, he urged the Congress to pay him for inventing the Great Naval Flag. He didn’t get paid though. His accounts contradict the Betsy Ross flag legend, where she sewed the first flag with Stars and Stripes in 1776 as requested by the government. A May 10, 1779, George Washington letter from the war board discounts these accounts.
In 1795, Congress changed the stars and stripes flag with a second flag resolution. The stars and stripes increased to 15 from 13. The 15-stripe, 15-star flag inspired the “Defense of Fort M’Henry”, written by Francis Scott Key. Later named the Star-Spangled Banner, the poem became the basis for some of the National Anthem’s lyrics. Congress mandated the addition of new stars only when a new state joined the union. In 1818, after the addition of several states, Congress enacted the third and last of the flag resolutions. Henceforth, the stripes would remain 13 as an honor to the original colonies, and the stars would match the number of states. However, the addition of the new star would only happen on July 4th, after admission by the state. From then until the year 1960, the stars frequently increased from 13 to 50 as more and more states joined the union. These included:
This star adding system remained from 1777 to 1960 when they added the state of Hawaii. President William Howard Taft signed an executive order on Oct 29, 1912, that standardized the proportions, sizes, and flag elements. In 1934, the color shades got standardized too.
The flag remains the same till this day, but there have been some events and issues surrounding it. In 1968, there was a burning of the flag incident by people protesting the Vietnam War. The Federal Flag Desecration Law was adopted by Congress which made it illegal to publicly deface, mutilate, burn, trample or show contempt for the flag. Revision of this law has happened over time, and now desecrating the flag is considered free speech. However, scholars think this is ironic since the flag revered for representing the land of the free can be abused or used in protest.
The 50 stars display the growth of the United States since its infancy. They represent every state in the union. The star, according to a 1977 House of Representatives book, is a heavenly symbol. It’s a representation of the divine goal sought by a man from time immemorial. The stripes symbolize light rays as they emanate from the sun.
The thirteen red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies that in a joint effort declared independence from the British. They established themselves as a sovereign nation. The colors white, blue and red on the flag didn’t initially have a specific meaning after the adoption of the flag in 1777. However, the secretary of the Continental Congress, Charles Thompson, gave them a purpose in a Congress report concerning the Great Seal of the United States. The vertical stripes on the flag- red represented valor and hardiness; the white was a symbol of innocence and purity; while blue signified perseverance, justice, and vigilance.
The exact flag colors should be Old Glory Blue, white, and Old Glory Red. They represent the standard cloth colors. Flags produced for the US federal government should use these official colors. The citizens can use a golden fringe to decorate the flag’s perimeter as long as this does not deface the flag. These fringes are used to enhance the flag’s appearance during parades, indoor posts or ceremonies.
Recognized worldwide, the United States flag flies high on public buildings, private residences, vehicles and to symbolize America in other countries. The flag also appears on car windows, badges, and lapel pins. If affixed to the vehicle’s right side or a boat, plane or objects that move, the flag must have the canton with the orientation towards the front so that the flag seems to be streaming backward from the hoist.
When used on uniforms, the flag patches appear on the right shoulder on some US military uniforms. The patch on several US uniforms, including flight suits by the Air Force and Navy, is on the left shoulder. Organizations willing to have a flag can make it face any direction.
The first flag appeared on postage stamps in 1926 after the release of the Battle of White Plains Issue. It depicted the flag with 13 stars in a circle. The 48-star flag first appeared in 1931 while on July 4, 1957, the flag was the sole subject on the postage stamp. Since then, the flag has frequently appeared on US postage stamps.
There are specific guidelines laid down governing the display, use, and disposal of the flag, such as:
Though the Flag Code is a federal law in the US, citizens do not incur penalties for failing to comply. It’s not enforced widely and enforcing it would go against the right to freedom of speech in the First Amendment.
Do you know any other interesting facts about the flag of the United States? Share your thoughts below.
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