A symbol of strength and freedom across the globe.No official flag in the world is as well-known as the American Flag. How many other national flags stand 24-hours a day on both the south pole and the moon? For freedom-loving Americans, it evokes feelings of gratitude and patriotism. For those in other countries that are seeking a better life, it’s a banner of hope. Yet, there are many across the globe, and even right here in America, who hate the stars and stripes because it represents western culture- another indicator of the importance of Old Glory. At PublicSquare, we pledge allegiance to the American flag and the values and beliefs that have made it such a recognized symbol. We believe that to properly honor the flag and all of our forefathers who fought to create this great nation, we must know the history of and symbolism found in the flag of the United States of America.Shared Symbolism Throughout the History of the American FlagThroughout each iteration of Old Glory, the symbols have remained the same. What you’ll find on each flag are stars and stripes and red, white and blue. Each piece was chosen with a purpose. The number of stars represents the number of states while the stripes represent the colonies (more on that to come). Red is a color of valor and hardiness, which contrasts well with the purity and innocence of white. Lastly, blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.The Grand Union FlagAlso known as “the Continental Colors” this was the first unofficial national flag. It was a variation of the British red ensign. With a Union Jack in the upper left-corner the red background had white stripes added, making the famous 13 red and white stripes. It gained its fame when Navy Lieutenant John Paul Jones hoisted it aboard Captain Esek Hopkins’ ship. Another variation of the original British flag with the Union Jack on a red background added the words “Liberty and Union” along the bottom. This was a symbol of protest across the 13 colonies, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.The Betsy RossThe “Betsy Ross” was the first official national flag of the American colonies. While the designer of the flag is debated, Francis Hopkinson, a Philadelphia native, claimed to be the designer and even sent a bill to congress for the design and other work he performed. Francis was a good friend of Benjamin Franklin and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. More well-known than Francis Hopkinson is the one who actually made the American flag, Betsy Ross. While others also made flags around the same time, Betsy Ross made the flag that was given to George Washington and the Continental Congress.With 13 colonies at the time, the first American flag had 13 stars in a circle, with the stars pointing outward, and 13 stripes alternating red and white to represent each colony. During this time, many variations also existed with the stars in various patterns and some with blue stripes. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams even wrote a letter in 1778 that described the flag as having "13 stripes, alternately red, white, and blue, a small square in the upper angle, next to the flagstaff, is a blue field, with 13 white stars, denoting a new Constellation." (Cooper, Grace Rogers (1973). Thirteen-Star Flags. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 3.)The Star-Spangled BannerDuring the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key was on a ship exchanging prisoners with the British, when he saw this flag. Flying over Fort McHenry through bombardment by British ships, the Star-Spangled banner waved in the dawn’s early light. It was a beacon of hope, a call to courage. This sight inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the lyrics to our national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. Its words evoke emotion and patriotism at sporting events, rallies, and parades from California to Florida and from New Jersey to Utah. All across the USA, our beloved national anthem calls us to consider the divine hand that guides our nation and the selfless heroes who have fought for freedom. This iteration of the U.S. flag had 15 stars and saw the number of stripes also grow to represent the two additional colonies, Vermont and Kentucky.The 20-Star FlagThe next flag on our timeline came in 1818 by suggestion of a Captain of the U.S. Navy, Samuel Reid. Realizing the growing nation couldn’t continue adding stripes for each new state, this flag added stars but reverted back to the original number of stripes used on the first national flag. The new states added since the previous edition of the American flag were Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi.The 48-Star FlagIn 1912, the 48-star flag was made the official American flag and marked the first time that a flag act specified how the stars should be arranged on the blue field. It had six rows of eight stars and each star pointed upward. Prior to this act, United States flags could be found across the nation with different patterns of stars. The 48-star flag was in use from 1912 to 1959. The final state added to reach 48 states was Arizona, just a month after New Mexico.The American Flag TodayWith the addition of two new states, Alaska and Hawaii, the 50-star union was born. But when it was rumored that Alaska and Hawaii might be granted statehood, flag designs were submitted in abundance. The current design was submitted by more than one person, meaning design credit can’t be given to a single individual. By executive order, the 50-star design became the official U.S. flag and is the longest tenured design in our nation’s history. Now, you’ll see our American flag stretched across football fields. It stands in classrooms as students across the country recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It flies high atop flagpoles on Flag Day. From the Revolutionary war to the Civil War and from two World Wars to today, the flag of the United States still beckons to those seeking a better life and stands as a reminder of what our country represents.
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