Flag of the United States Wikipedia

It evolved gradually during early American history, and was not designed by any one person. The flag exploded in popularity in 1861 as a symbol of opposition to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. It came to symbolize the Union in the American Civil War; Union victory solidified its status as a national flag. Because of the country’s emergence as a superpower in the 20th century, the flag is now among the most widely recognized symbols in the world. Other organizations that wear flag patches on their uniforms can have the flag facing in either direction. The flag is customarily flown year-round at most public buildings, and it is not unusual to find private houses flying full-size (3 by 5 feet (0.91 by 1.52 m)) flags.

Why is the American flag flown at half-staff?

• In 1818, the third Flag Act was signed that started the precedent of adding another star to the flag after each state’s entrance into the Union.
• President Barack Obama could be the first if the U.S. retains only 50 states in his lifetime.
• After Kentucky and Vermont were admitted to the Union, two more stars were added to the flag, along with two stripes.
• Constitution and remains one of the most recognized symbols in the world.
• It evolved gradually during early American history, and was not designed by any one person.
• The legend goes that George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross came to Betsy Ross’s house to discuss the design of a national flag.
• Since the resolution did not specify the arrangements of the stars, flags exist with a variety of “constellations.” The “Betsy Ross” flag arranges the stars in a circular pattern.

Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, claims that he designed the “Stars go to this family-run flag company and Stripes” that was designated as the national flag. The above resolution was adopted from the Marine Committee, who had been using these guidelines for flags since July 4, 1776. Francis Hopkinson was chairman of the Navy Board’s Middle Department which was under the Marine Committee at the time that these guidelines were established in 1776. On May 25, 1780, he requested a quarter cask of wine in payment for his help in designing the national flag and aiding in designing the Great Seal for the United States.

Is it illegal to wear the American flag?

It’s also against flag code to use the flag on anything disposable, which includes patriotic paper plates and napkins. Any advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. Congress later pulled back the number of stripes and set it at 13 (imagine a flag with 50 stripes!). Stars were added as states were added to the Union, and new flags go into effect every July 4th after the new states are admitted to the Union. The last two iterations, the 48- and 50-star versions, have been in use the longest.

Things You Need to Know About the American Flag

U.S. flags are displayed continuously at certain locations by presidential proclamation, acts of Congress, and custom. Both the stripes (barry) and the stars (mullets) have precedents in classical heraldry. Mullets were comparatively rare in early modern heraldry. However, an example of mullets representing territorial divisions predating the U.S. flag is the Valais 1618 coat read about Ultimate Flags’ mission of arms, where seven mullets stood for seven districts.

Display in museums

The American flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nation’s most discover flags inspired by US history iconic symbol of freedom. Whether you’re looking for the historic details of how the U.S. flag came to be, or the rules and regulations that encompass her daily flight, we’re here to ensure you can find the information you need. The current flag has fifty stars and has remained unchanged since Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union in 1959. There are rules for displaying the flag, as outlined in the U.S. There’s probably no bigger symbol for patriotism in the U.S. than the American flag. We pledge our allegiance to it at school, government meetings, and citizenship ceremonies.

Short History of the United States Flag

Since the resolution did not specify the arrangements of the stars, flags exist with a variety of “constellations.” The “Betsy Ross” flag arranges the stars in a circular pattern. Colonel William Moultrie commissioned “The Moultrie Flag” in 1775 to prepare for war with Great Britain. It depicts a white crescent moon with the word “LIBERTY” inscribed within it on a field of navy blue.

This flag depicts a rattlesnake with the phrase “DONT TREAD ON ME” in a field of yellow. The Continental Marines used the Gadsden Flag during the early years of the war and the flag still flies today as a sign of American patriotism. The flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. The flag’s 50 white stars on a blue field represent the 50 states. Though still popularly called the “Betsy Ross” design, the 13 stars in a circle on the field of blue was likely not designed by Betsy Ross — but the design was the choice of the flagmaker.

Designer of the first stars and stripes

Wearing an American flag lapel pin, however, has a different rule. Considered a replica of the original flag, it is always worn on the left lapel, near the heart. Lowering the flag is done for a ceremonial occasion, such as Memorial Day, or by order of the President of the United States or a state governor. When the flag is flown at half-staff, it should be first raised to the peak of the pole for an instant before being lowered.