LEGACY WORTHY FLAG: US STARS & STRIPES
History of the American Flag
Early Colonial Flags:
During the early colonial period, settlers in North America often displayed the flags of their respective European nations. The British Union Jack, the flag of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was commonly seen in British colonies. Other European nations, such as the Dutch, French, and Spanish, also had their own flags representing their colonial territories.
The Grand Union Flag:
In 1775, as tensions escalated between the American colonies and Britain, the Continental Army needed its own distinct flag to rally behind. The Grand Union Flag, also known as the Continental Colors, emerged as a popular flag representing the united colonies. It featured thirteen alternating red and white stripes representing the thirteen colonies, with the British Union Jack in the canton. This flag symbolized both the colonists' connection to Britain and their desire for representation and rights.
The First Official American Flag:
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, establishing the first official flag of the United States. The resolution stated, "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." This design, often referred to as the "Stars and Stripes," became the foundation for subsequent versions of the American flag.
US Flag Evolution:
As new states joined the Union, the flag evolved to accommodate the additional stars and stripes. The Flag Act of 1794 standardized the flag to have fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, representing the fifteen states at that time. However, concerns arose about the flag becoming impractical with an increasing number of states, as adding a stripe for each new state would result in a crowded design. In 1818, the number of stripes reverted to thirteen, representing the original colonies, while adding a star for each state.
The Star-Spangled Banner:
During the War of 1812, the most famous American flag, known as the Star-Spangled Banner, flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. It was a thirty-by-forty-two-foot flag with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, representing the United States at that time. The flag endured the British bombardment of the fort, and its resilience inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort M'Henry," which would later become the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The Modern Design:
Over time, the number of stars on the flag continued to increase with the addition of new states. The current design, with fifty stars representing the fifty states, was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became a state. The stars are arranged in nine alternating rows of five and four stars.
Flag Etiquette and Symbolism:
The American flag has specific etiquette guidelines regarding its display, handling, and retirement. For instance, it should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously, and it should never touch the ground. Additionally, the flag's colors hold symbolic meaning: red symbolizes valor and bravery, white represents purity and innocence, and blue signifies perseverance, justice, and vigilance.
The history of the American flag is rich and intertwined with the nation's journey, representing its ideals, struggles, and unity throughout the centuries. From its origins in the colonial period to its iconic role during the War of 1812 and its evolution to the present design, the American flag continues to serve as a symbol of the United States' values, aspirations, and history.
American Flag Day: June 14
American Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14th and commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. The day holds historical significance and is an opportunity to honor the flag as a symbol of the nation's unity, ideals, and patriotism.
Here's some background information on the origins of American Flag Day/
Bernard J. Cigrand's Early Advocacy:
The idea of establishing a day to honor the American flag can be traced back to the late 19th century. Bernard J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Wisconsin, is widely recognized as one of the early advocates for establishing a national observance for the flag. Cigrand ardently believed in instilling respect and reverence for the flag among students.
The First Observance in 1885:
On June 14, 1885, Cigrand, as a 19-year-old teacher in Fredonia, Wisconsin, organized the first recognized observance of a day specifically dedicated to the U.S. flag. He and his students celebrated the occasion with essays and discussions on the flag's significance.
Continued Efforts and Recognition:
Cigrand continued to promote the idea of Flag Day throughout his career. He gave speeches, wrote articles, and lobbied politicians to recognize and establish an official Flag Day.
George Balch's Proposal:
Another influential figure in the establishment of Flag Day was George Balch, a New York City kindergarten teacher. In 1889, Balch composed a pledge to the flag, which stated: "I give my heart and my hand to my country, one country, one language, one flag!" Balch's idea further contributed to the growing recognition of Flag Day.
William T. Kerr's Efforts:
William T. Kerr, a prominent leader of the American War Mothers, also played a significant role in promoting Flag Day. Kerr and his organization worked towards establishing Flag Day as a national observance.
President Woodrow Wilson's Proclamation:
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation designating June 14 as Flag Day and called for national observance and patriotic activities. This proclamation aimed to honor the flag and its role as a symbol of national unity.
Flag Day Becomes Official:
Finally, on August 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. The act officially recognized and established Flag Day as a day of observance throughout the United States.
Today, Flag Day is celebrated in various ways across the country, including flag-raising ceremonies, parades, patriotic speeches, and educational activities. It serves as an occasion to honor the flag's history, symbolism, and the principles it represents.
Flags in History:
The use of flags dates back thousands of years, and it is challenging to determine the exact individuals or cultures that were the first to use them. However, historical evidence suggests that ancient civilizations in various regions independently developed the concept of using flags or similar symbols for communication and identification purposes.
Regarding the 12 tribes of Israel, they did not use flags in the same manner as modern flags. The banners had tribal symbols or emblems associated with each tribe. These symbols were often depicted on banners or standards, which were used as a means of visual identification and representation.
In the Bible, the Book of Numbers describes the Israelites' encampment in the wilderness, where each tribe had a designated position and banner. These banners, though not precisely equivalent to modern flags, functioned similarly by differentiating one tribe from another and serving as rallying points during times of war or when the Israelites were on the move.
The biblical accounts mention specific symbols associated with some tribes. For example, Judah's banner featured a lion, Reuben's displayed a depiction of a mandrake plant, Ephraim's showcased an ox, and Dan's portrayed a serpent or a golden eagle.
While these tribal banners or standards were not identical to flags as we understand them today, they served similar purposes of identification and symbolic representation. It is important to note that the biblical accounts primarily focus on the symbolic and religious significance of these tribal emblems rather than describing them as flags in the modern sense. While the ancient Israelites did not use flags in the conventional way, they did utilize tribal symbols and banners for identification and as symbolic representations of their tribes.
Ancient Egypt is often credited with some of the earliest instances of flag usage. The Egyptians utilized vexilloids, which were objects resembling flags or banners, as early as 3000 BCE. These vexilloids often featured symbolic motifs or animal representations.
Similarly, ancient China employed flags during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BCE). These early Chinese flags were typically rectangular and adorned with colorful patterns and symbols denoting the ruling families or military units.
In Europe, the Roman legions employed signa militaria, military standards that served as symbols of the legion's identity and allegiance. These standards, often in the form of flags or banners, displayed various symbols, emblems, or the names of the legions.
It is worth noting that flags were not only used for military purposes but also for signaling and identification in maritime settings. The ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, and other seafaring civilizations utilized flags and signal systems to communicate messages between ships or to indicate the presence of a particular city-state or ruler.
While it is difficult to attribute the invention of flags to a specific group of people, the use of flags for communication, identification, and symbolism has been a recurring practice throughout human history.