The American Flag

"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our through and purpose as a nation.  It had no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation.  The choices are ours.  It floats in a majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war.  And yet, through silent, it speaks to us - speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it." - president Woodrow Wilson, 1917

       Betsy Ross was reportedly the person who sewed the first American flag in 1776.  On June 14, 1777, the Continential Congress passed the first Flag Act that allowed the establishment of the official flag for the nation.  The stars were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed above another. It is reported that George Washington said, "Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens."

       Congress passed several acts between 1777 and 1960 that changed the shape, design, and arrangement of the flag, allowing for additional stars and stripes to reflect the admission of each new state.  Sometimes the flag is referred to as "Old Glory."  The United States Army Institute of Heraldry has prepared designs for flag with up to 56 stars in the case that additional states are added to the nation.  There are political movements that support the statehood of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. 

Example of a flag already created just in case:

        Today, the American flag contains thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white.  The stripes represent the original colonies while the five-pointed stars in the upper left hand corner represent the 50 states.  The colors on the flag are also symbolic: red = hardiness and valor, white = purity and innocence, and blue = vigilance, perseverance, justice.  Legend has it that George Washington interpreted the elements on the flag as: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British, and the white as a representation of the secession from the home country.  

Flag Etiquette - from the Flag Code

• flag should be lighted at all time, either by sunlight or a light source
• flag should be flown in fair weather unless designed for inclement weather
• flag is attached to military uniforms in a way that makes it look backwards with the stars leading, to make it look like the flag is flying and leading them into battle
• flag is displayed at half-staff during times of mourning on dates of deaths or specific events like September 11
• flag should never be used to advertising purposes - shouldn't be embroidered, printed or impressed on cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded
• flag should should never be used to receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything
• when lowered, flag should never touch the ground - it should be received by waiting hands and arms and be folded neatly and ceremoniously
• when flag is not longer fit, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner

These are just a select few of the many more regulations and standards for how the flag should be used and kept.