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