History of American Flag

History of American Flag.
For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s
strength and unity. It’s been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. And
the American Flag has been a prominent icon in our national history. Here are the
highlights of its unique past.
On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a

Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington’s
control. On that New Year’s Day the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which
had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag
hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the
British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).
In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.
On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the
Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved, That the flag of the United
States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen
stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape,
design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be
added to reflect the admission of each new state.
 Act of January 13, 1794 – provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May
1795.
 Act of April 4, 1818 – provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to
be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new
state, signed by President Monroe.
 Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 – established
proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six
horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.
 Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 – provided
for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each,
staggered horizontally and vertically.
 Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 –
provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered
horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white.
The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the
Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor,
White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance
and Justice.
What do the colors of the Flag mean?
Sentimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The
practice is erroneous, as are statements on this subject attributed to George Washington and other
founders of the country.
From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...
"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to
devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding
Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June
20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors
have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and
Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific
meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on
the Seal, stated:
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America;
White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad
band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."
Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives...
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time
immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."
The quote below concerning gold fringe on the Flag is from the book "So Proudly We Hail, The
History of the United States Flag" Smithsonian Institute Press 1981, by Wiliam R. Furlong and
Byron McCandless. "The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of
organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice, according
to the Institute of Hearaldry. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor
flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and 'honorable enrichment
only', and its official use by the US Army dates from 1895.. A 1925 Attorney General's Opinion
states: 'the fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the Flag, and its presence
cannot be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. An
external fringe is to be distinguished from letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or
superimposed upon the body of the flag itself. Under law, such additions might be open to
objection as unauthorized; but the same is not necessarily true of the fringe.'"
The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services and
is believed to have been first used in a military setting. It has no specific significance that I have
ever run across, and its (gold trim) use is in compliance with applicable flag codes and laws.

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History of American Flag.

On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a

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