History of the american flag

History of the flags of the united states wikipedia. He is the author of the everything american presidents book and colonial life. Theyll read all about the making of the colonial era flag back in the 1700s, and then answer a few reading comprehension questions. Betsy would often tell her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends of a fateful day, late in may of 1776, when three members of a secret committee from the continental congress came to call upon her. Right since it was adopted by the union of states till the present one with 50 stars that came into existence on july 4, 1960, the american flag has been changed 27 times. In response to the johnson ruling, members of congress introduced the flag protection act, a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. The first flag code is drafted during a legion conference in washington. Ironically, although the stated purpose of the act was to end flag burnings, its immediate impact was to spur perhaps the largest single wave of such incidents in american history. 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. The story of the american flag invites readers to travel back in time and witness firsthand how our flag came to be. Its history is as colored and rich as our countrys past. A flag is a very important part of a countrys identity. A timeline of the evolution and development of the official u. American flags through history have constantly evolved but remain some of the most recognizable flags in the world.

The flag is so important that its history tells the story of america itself. History has it that the first american flag was sewn by betsy ross, a seamstress. The military service flag or blue star service banner of the united states armed forces. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. Old glory, stars and stripes, the star spangled banner from its inception, the american flag has been an important part of our nations history. According to popular legend, the first american flag was made by betsy ross, a philadelphia seamstress who was acquainted with george washington, leader of the continental army, and other influential philadelphians. The united states armed forces date to 1775, when america needed a defense force to protect the original colonies from a british invasion. The american history section of the library of congress is separated by time period or subject and offers an indepth look at the history of the united states.

According to betsy rosss dates and sequence of events, in may the congressional committee called upon her at her shop. The stars and stripes have been an icon of our country for decades, though the design has seen many changes since its inception in 1777. This is an introductory oneminute history of the american flag and the symbolism behind the stars and stripes presented by two adolescent girls. Jun 20, 2016 these vignettes of the flag and the church in american history tell us that 1 the american flag has not always been a fixture in american sanctuaries, and 2 when it was introduced, it came for reasonsoften troubling onesspecific to that historic moment. Surviving over 200 years, the flag has both physically and symbolically grown and developed in times of both achievement and crisis. The first official national flag, also known as the stars and stripes, was approved by the continental congress on june 14, 1777.

The actual flag from that battle hangs in the maryland state house. After a british bombardment, amateur poet francis scott key was so inspired by the sight. May betsy ross reports that she sewed the first american flag. Now your child can learn about the history of the american flag with this great printable. Take a look at the history of the iconic emblem of the united states. The other popular names of the american flag are starspangled banner and old glory. Another early flag had a rattlesnake and the motto dont tread on me.

Some of them are hundreds of years old and are very important to the pe. Nebraskas state flag, whose design was rated second worst, remains in use to date. Jul 03, 2014 in honor of the fourth of july, we peek into history to track the evolution of the american flag. Jun 03, 2003 its history is as colored and rich as our countrys past. 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.

The flag was carried at the battle of cowpens, which took place on january 17, 1781, in south carolina. She finished the flag either in late may or early june 1776. It shows a green pine tree on a white background, with the words, an appeal to. Yet despite the ways the flag has changed in the past two hundred years, the pride, unity, and strength it inspires have never faltered. The website is updated daily and visitors can view the previous days history as well as whatever documents, pictures, or outside information is available for each historical event. Independence day and the history of the american flag cool school duration. There was no official pattern for how the stars were to be arranged. Betsy ross, there is strong evidence pointing towards francis hopkinson, the signer of the declaration of. 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. While some believe that it was a philadelphia seamstress, ms. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. A flag store owner talks about how the american flag should be treated.

Distribute a history of the american flag worksheet to each student. It has been used to show nationalism, rebellion and everything in between. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. The flag was first authorized by congress on june 14, 1777, the reason we now celebrate flag day on june 14th each year throughout america. The first flag of the united states is believed to have been designed by francis hopkinson, a congressman from new jersey, and sewn by betsy ross, a. The united states army is the oldest established june 14, 1775 and largest of the five branches. Alaska and hawaii are the last two stars to be added to the american flag.

The flag that inspired francis scott key to write the starspangled banner still exists and is on permanent display at the smithsonians national museum of american history in washington d. Facts about the united states flag smithsonian institution. History, now reaching more than 98 million homes, is the leading destination for awardwinning original. On june 14, 1777, to establish an official flag for the new nation, the continental congress passed the first flag act. The american flag was originally more a means of identification but evolved into the symbol of pride and national identity we associate with it today. From 1777 to 1960, the american flag design changed frequently to reflect a growing number of states being added to the union. The american flag has always stood for liberty, justice, and humanity. The legion creates the american legion baseball program. In this lesson, youll learn more about the history of the flag and the national. Treat it respectfully by keeping it from touching the ground, not sewing anything on it, keeping it in good repair and storing it properly. To salute all persons present of the flag, except those in uniform, should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. How to properly dispose of an american flag what to do. The unique history of the american flag follows the history of our country and reminds us of the triumphant beginning of the united states.

The stars symbolize the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time forever, and the stripes are symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun. The american flag was first flown from fort stanwix, on the site of the present city of rome, new york, on august 3, 1777. While the stars signify the original colonies, stripes represent the states in the us. These days, july 4th is all about barbecues, fireworks and a healthy dose of red, white and blue excesses. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. Starting in 1819, the updated flag becomes legal on the fourth of july following the date of admission. As of july 4 th 2007, the 50star flag will be americas longest serving flag. The first annual flag day celebration was established by president woodrow wilson on june 14, 1917, when american soldiers were heading to join the allied forces during world war i. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u.

There isnt a more beautiful sight than the american flag flying high. The evolution of the american flag throughout history. Displaying all worksheets related to history of american flag. States and their dates of admission are shown in bold red. Soldiers are responsible for performing landbased military operations. The american flag is a symbol of our country and should be shown proper how and why do we respect. Pop chart lab the first officially recognized version of the american flag, from 1776, had stars in a circle. The national flag day foundation celebrates at fort mchenry.

However, the origin of the official american flag is unknown. A timeline every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue but does every heart know the interesting united states flag history. Flag of the united states on american astronaut neil armstrongs space suit the nasa vehicle assembly building in 1977. According to some sources, this flag was first used in 1777. The us flag, also popularly known as stars and stripes, consists of stars and 50 stripes. Home american flag history american flag timeline 1776 to present 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. Some historians believe it was designed by new jersey congressman francis hopkinson and sewn by philadelphia seamstress betsy ross. Take a moment and admire the power of the american flag.

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. For instance, as timothy wesley tells the story in his book the politics of faith during the civil war, a wartime methodist church in borderstate missouri was being used by both northern and southern methodist congregations. History of the flag of the united states of america. The stripes represent the original colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the union. Evry heart beats true, neath the red, white and blue. In may 1776, so the story goes, general washington and. The 50 stars stand for the 50 states of the union, and the stripes stand for the original states. In july, the declaration of independence was read aloud for the first time at independence hall. The history of the american flag is quite intriguing. American ships in new england waters flew a liberty tree flag in 1775. Saluting is one way to show respect for the american flag. While the 1777 resolution establishing a national flag was the impetus for the national holiday known as flag day, that date.

A new star was added to the flag as each state joined the union. Flag of the united states of america national flag consisting of white. Instead, they fought mainly under unit or regimental flags, according to marc leepson, author of the book flag. In 1912 the flag went from six horizontal rows of eight stars to seven rows of seven stars in 1959. Those representatives, george washington, robert morris, and george ross, asked her to sew the first. American flag history for kids history, american history. The flag consisted of a green pine tree with a white background, with the words, an appeal to heaven inscribed on it us history. A brief history of the american flag grand new flag. In 1909, robert peary placed an american flag, sewn by his wife, at the north.

The american flag is an icon of our nation and every version of the american flag shares an important part of our nations history. On january 1, 1776, the continental army was reorganized in accordance with a congressional resolution, which placed american forces under george washingtons control. The actual flag that key saw that day can be seen at the national museum of american history in washington, dc. And while you may already know how to display the american flag correctly, its important to know how to properly discard of a tattered or soiled american flag when a flag is worn out or no longer a fitting symbol to display, the united states flag code says it should be retired in a dignified way, preferably burned and. The 50 stars represent the current 50 states and the stripes represent the original colonies.

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. Our flag is an inspiring symbol that unites us all as american citizens. Anyway, heres the history of the united states flag. Today the american flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red, alternating with six white. Today, the legion is at the forefront of efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to protect the u. History of american flag worksheets lesson worksheets. In august of 1959, hawaii became the 50th and final state to join the country, allowing for a standardized design. The history of famous american flags poster includes pictures of 16 different flags during various periods of american history. Prerevolution colonial flag bunker hill flag great or grand union flag navy jack betsy. Feb 19, 20 the american flag is a symbol of our country and should be shown proper how and why do we respect. Some of them are hundreds of years old and are very important to the people who live in that country. It serves as a rallying point for the citizens of the country when trouble strikes. 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 has been the inspiration for holidays, songs, poems, books, artwork and more.

On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of thirteen stripes, alternating between red and white. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of. Jun 14, 2019 the american flag is one of the most beloved and honored traditions in the u. The principal acts affecting the flag of the united states are the following. In american history, june 14 isnt just a day to honor the flag. The mysterious origins of the american flag history.

The flag of the united states has a unique history filled with interesting people, times of conflict, and great triumph. The timeline below displays the evolution of old glory and explains the history behind each modification. Marines from the 28th regiment of the 5th division raise the u. The american flag is a symbol of the united states long historyand it might be much older than you thought. The flag shown here is the actual one that inspired francis scott key to write our. According to a 2001 survey by the north american vexillological association, new mexico has the bestdesigned flag of any u. Remind them to think about the content of the story while answering the questions, and offer assistance when necessary. History of famous american flags poster large poster size.