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.
