Throughout its 237 years of existence the american flag has been officially modified 26 times. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the unites states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one na tion, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Flag is a general descriptive term for a cloth device with a distinguishing color or design, which has a special meaning or serves as a signal. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. The history of the united states flag stories to read. You have probably seen the american flag thousands of times. This 34star flag became the official american flag on july 4th, 1861. History of our flag 1776on july 4th the flag becomes the first national symbol of the u. Jun, 2016 this video will help you learn how to properly display and respect the united states most recognizable and important national icon. Its a great history lesson for students learning about individual states and their flags or of our collective history but mostly it is a beautiful photographic document of the flags of our countrys history. May 15, 20 from drexel university online, an educational video exploration into the history of the american flag, narrated by former nbc10 journalist terry ruggles. A printable pdf version of the flag is also available.
Generally, the flag is given to the nextofkin as a keepsake after its use. He is the author of the everything american presidents book and colonial life. When did congress adopt the stars and stripes as the american flag. The flag shown here is the actual one that inspired francis scott key to write our. A timeline of the evolution and development of the official u. History of the flags of the united states wikipedia.
American flag history for kids history, american history. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. The rhetoric of the american flag has been significant over history. The declaration of independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the united states. Only one flag may be issued for each deceased veteran. Today is the 100th anniversary of flag day, the official observance in honor of the starspangled banner that represents the united states of america. The united states armed forces date to 1775, when america needed a defense force to protect the original colonies from a british invasion. May betsy ross reports that she sewed the first american flag. Flag etiquette, flag history, flag holidays, flag code, folding the flag, flag disposal, powerpoint how to treat the american flag, how to display the flag, our flags progression other educational resources. The actual flag that key saw that day can be seen at the national museum of american history in washington, dc. This was the flag that was flown by armies of the north during the first half of the civil war. A brief history of the american flag grand new flag.
The american flag is a source of american history, legend, unity and respect. The national flag day foundation celebrates at fort mchenry. Flying the flag upside down is a signal of danger or distress. Have you ever seen a flag with 18 stars or 24 stars, a flag that represents the state of illinois with only 21 stars. The commanders of the confederate army in virginia then known at the army of the potomac sought a distinctive emblem as an alternative to the confederacys first national flagthe stars and barsto serve as a battle flag. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. In american history, the vikings carried a flag which bore a black raven on a. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white. Soldiers are responsible for performing landbased military operations. While the 1777 resolution establishing a national flag was the impetus for the national holiday known as flag day, that date. A timeline every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue but does every heart know the interesting united states flag history. This was the resolution adopted by the continental congress on june 14, 1777.
Because the enemys flag, instead of the flag of the real country of the attacking ship, was hung, it was called a false flag attack. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white. A short history of the american flag our flag carries american ideas, american history, and american feelings, henry ward beecher declared in 1861 to a group of union soldiers. American flag history, myths, and facts learn religions. Us history, history facts, american history, american pride, american flag facts, american flag meaning, texas. Our flag carries american ideas, american history, and american feelings, henry. Generally, the flag is given to the next of kin as a keepsake after its use. Flag with 20 stars and stripes it remains at hereafter tennessee june 1, 1796, ohio march 1, 1803, louisiana april 30, 1812, indiana december 11, 1816, mississippi december 10, 1817 flag with 21 stars illinois december 3, 1818 flag with 23 stars alabama december 14, 1819, maine march 15, 1820 first flag on pikes peak. The principal acts affecting the flag of the united states are the following. Through its many changes and iterations, the american flag has come to. The united states flag represents so much of what america means and its symbolism runs deep in its history. Flag day, also called national flag day, in the united states, a day honouring the national flag, observed on june 14. July 20 the american flag is placed on the moon by neil armstrong.
The evolution of the american flag throughout history. The holiday commemorates the date in 1777 when the united states approved the design for its first national flag the idea to set aside a day to honour the national flag came from several sources. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The military service flag or blue star service banner of the united states armed forces. That the flag of the united states shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation. On june 14, 1777, to establish an official flag for the new nation, the continental congress passed the first flag act.
Todays post, in honor of flag day, comes from alex nieuwsma, an intern in the national archives history office. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under god, indivisible. General george washington first raised the continental army flag in 1776, a redand white striped flag with the british union jack where we now have stars. American flag facts, etiquette and history youtube. Now your child can learn about the history of the american flag with this great printable. Indeed, this concept is so wellaccepted that rules of engagement for naval, air and land warfare all prohibit false flag attacks. This video will help you learn how to properly display and respect the united states most recognizable and important national icon.
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. The flag of the united states, the white flag of truce, and weather flags are examples. The law defined flag in an expansive manner similar to most states. History of the american flag american flag history. Note that you may need to adjust printer settings for the best results since flags come in varying dimensions. The evolution of the american flag 17762014 since 1777 the american flag, also known as old glory, has been a symbol of strength and unity for the united states of america. At that time, the first official flag of the united states was designed with stars and stripes to represent the existing colonies. Nov 16, 2014 the united states flag is the third oldest of the national standards of the world, even older than britains union jack or the tricolor of france.
The united states army is the oldest established june 14, 1775 and largest of the five branches. A star was added for the state of kansas, which was admitted to the united states of america on january 29th, 1861. History of the flag of the united states of america before we became a nation, our land knew many flags. Cigrand, a wisconsin schoolteacher, in 1885 urged his students to. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. There will be alternate red and white stripes and thirteen stars in a field of blue, representing the colonies. Flag day is celebrated in america on june 14, commemorating the day the first flag resolution was passed.
Since 1818, a star for each new state has been added to the flag on the fourth of july immediately following each states admission. The flag should never have any words, marks, pictures, or figures. The star spangled banner became our national anthem in 1931. Find answers to common and uncommon questions about the united states flag and its evolution. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of thirteen stripes, alternating between red and white. How many states made up the united states long ago when the older flag was created. Conclude by asking students to think about the following questions.
While for many the american flag represents the ideals of america and. The united states flag is the third oldest of the national standards of the world, even older than britains union jack or the tricolor of france. Ward beecher declared in 1861 to a group of union soldiers. While some believe that it was a philadelphia seamstress, ms. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of. While the stars signify the original colonies, stripes represent the states in the us. Displaying all worksheets related to history of american flag.
General george washington first raised the continental army flag in 1776, a redandwhite striped flag with the british union jack where we now have stars. Facts about the united states flag smithsonian institution. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. From its unofficial beginning as the continental colors or grand union flag to the long serving 50star. On july 4, 1776, congress voted to accept the declaration of independence, marking july. The story of our flag is the story of the nation itself.
On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the flag act, which mandated that, the flag of the united states be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white. Betsy ross, there is strong evidence pointing towards francis. Historical records do show that betsy ross made flags for the government in 1777, but whether she made the first united states flag will probably always remain. Betsy ross, there is strong evidence pointing towards francis hopkinson, the signer of the declaration of independence.
The united states flag diagram 22 resource sheet 2. On june 14, 1777, the second continental congress officially adopted the stars and stripes as the national flag of the united states of america. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes. As adopted by the national flag conference, washington, d.
Thirtysix star united states flag description and history. The federal law made it illegal to knowingly cast contempt upon any flag of the united states by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it. This lesson offers specific symbolic aspects of the u. While giving the pledge of allegiance all should face the flag. The flag should never be used for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. The dutch colonists brought their striped flag to new. A short history of the american flag what so proudly we hail. Free united states flag downloads including pictures in gif, jpg, and png formats in small, medium, and large sizes. In years which multiple states were admitted, the number of stars on the flag jumped correspondingly. The flag of the united states is one of the oldest national standards in the world. In the military service, the color is a flag of a dismounted unit.
Betsy ross showing the united states flag to george washington and others. It took thomas jefferson 17 days to write the declaration of independence. Educational resources the american flag foundation. A brief history of flag day national constitution center. Vector files are available in ai, eps, and svg formats. Through the years the number of stars in the canton has increased with the addition of new states, and the meaning of the flag has expanded to unimaginable heights. The us flag, also popularly known as stars and stripes, consists of stars and 50 stripes. Evry heart beats true, neath the red, white and blue.
History of american flag worksheets lesson worksheets. The other popular names of the american flag are starspangled banner and old glory. Worksheets are the american flag, the american flag work pdf, esl work, flag of the united states, flag of the united states, lesson title stars stripes and symbols of america, flag day vocabulary work, the educational resource handbook. One aspect on which the first american flag history is hotly debated is the one that deals with, who designed the first american flag. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling. On july 2, 1776, congress voted to declare independence from great britain.
On january 1, 1776, the continental army was reorganized in accordance with a congressional resolution, which placed american forces under george washingtons control. In american history, june 14 isnt just a day to honor the flag. To mark flag day, we asked our friends at the betsy ross house to fill us in on the history of the holiday. While the modern american flag has become a symbol around the world for freedom, justice, and prosperity, it has actually changed sixty three times over the past two hundred. Long ago, the norsemen probed our coastal waters sailing under the banner of the black raven. History of the flag of the united states of america. Home american flag history american flag timeline 1776 to present. The flag as we know it was born not as a symbol, but as a very practical banner. Click on popout icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. From drexel university online, an educational video exploration into the history of the american flag, narrated by former nbc10 journalist terry ruggles. How do you think the american flag might change in the future. Stars, stripes and symbols of america library of congress. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal.
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