Veterans
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History of American Flag. |
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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 it 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.
Honoring Veterans that have served and are
serving in the Armed Forces in War Time
and
Peace Time.
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Gabe Pesina
Vietnam Vet