| In school, we all study the history of the United | | | | 14th, 1777, when the congress adopted the Flag |
| States, but the US Flag can become subsumed | | | | Resolution which stated, "Resolved; that the flag |
| by battles, important historic figures and other | | | | of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, |
| events. The history of our flag is important | | | | alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen |
| though, and has many twists and turns as the | | | | stars, white in a blue field, representing a new |
| Congress and US government sought to find a | | | | Constellation." June 14th was then known as Flag |
| way to create a proud symbol for our country | | | | Day, which remains today. This flag was close to |
| with strength and aesthetic beauty. Now the | | | | that of our own, with only white stars on the field |
| American Flag, or the Stars and Stripes or Old | | | | of Blue representing the Union. Most depictions |
| Glory, stands proud across the United States of | | | | and recreations show the stars in a circular |
| America, made up of 13 horizontal red and white | | | | pattern. This flag is widely referred to as the |
| stripes and a union of blue, proudly bearing 50 | | | | Betsy Ross flag. |
| white stars placed in symmetry. The 50 stars | | | | As more states were brought into the Union, by |
| represent the 50 states of our Union while the 13 | | | | necessity, the US Flag's design needed to change |
| stripes represent the 13 original colonies. | | | | and grow. In fact, for a short time the Congress |
| The most recent flag was introduced and | | | | was just adding stars and stripes, but this had the |
| adopted in 1960, on the July 4th following Hawaii's | | | | potential of getting out of hand and interrupting |
| adoption into the United States. The reason for | | | | the aesthetic design of the US Flag. Interestingly, |
| this is that every flag change must take place on | | | | it was the 15 stripe and 15 star flag that inspired |
| July 4th and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania according | | | | Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled |
| to the code set forth by the lawmakers of the | | | | Banner. |
| past. The US Flag has undergone 26 of these | | | | The design was finally shifted back to the original |
| changes since it was first adopted in 1777 by the | | | | 13 stripes, to represent the colonies, with additions |
| US Congress. | | | | made only to the Union of the flag. The Union |
| But how did it begin? It is known that before the | | | | adopted a more organized structure as well, with |
| revolutionary war colonists flew many flags and | | | | the stars being carefully places in horizontal lines. |
| dozens of iterations were known to have red and | | | | The US flag is a proud symbol of our country and |
| white stripes. These were combined with the | | | | should be respected because of its long history |
| British flag's Union Jack. Essentially you can picture | | | | and the meaning behind it. Our country was built |
| the US flag with the Union Jack in place of the | | | | on a proud foundation of people seeking freedom |
| Blue Union with white stars on our flag. This flag | | | | from oppression and a method of fair self |
| was known as the Grand Union flag and was | | | | government. The flag and its symbolism reflect |
| flown frequently by George Washington in battle. | | | | that history which is why our flag should be flown |
| The next well known version of the American | | | | high and proud! |
| Flag, at least those flags used in battle, was the | | | | Blair Stephens is a prolific copywriter and proud |
| Bennington Flag. This flag maintains the theme of | | | | member of the team. USA Flags specializes in |
| 13 red and white alternating stripes but the Union, | | | | manufacturing the highest quality flags in every |
| which is blue, incorporates 13 stars and the | | | | size and in the best flag materials. If you need a |
| number "76" indicating 1776 when the US declared | | | | durable American flag, State Flag, Decorative flag |
| independence from Britain. The Bennington Flag | | | | or custom flag then has the flag for you. Enjoy |
| was supposedly used in the battle of Bennington | | | | our flag resources section which will answer any |
| in August of 1777. It holds the title of the first US | | | | and all questions about flag care, display, folding |
| flag used to lead our army into battle. | | | | and more! |
| The official US flag was not introduced until Jun | | | | |