How Did We Get Our American Flag?

Since I did a post about Memorial Day last year, I thought I would post about the flag this time. Our current flag of the United States is the twenty-seventh version since its original design in 1777. It is composed of thirteen alternating stripes, seven red and six white, with a blue rectangle and stars in the top left hand corner. The star alternate in six rows of six and four rows of five. The fifty star flag that was adopted after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union is the longest running version of the flag.

The first flag was call the Continental Colors and looked like this.  It was the first official flag of the thirteen colonies. it was also called the Grand Union Flag. There we other flags used in the colonies during this time including Gadsden Flag, Don’t Tread On Me and the Moultrie Flag that was a field of blue with a blue and white circle with the word Liberty in it.

The first flag to have the stripes and stars, often referred to as the Betsy Ross flag, was commissioned in 1776 by George Washington. From there the design changed as states were added. Sometimes the stars were in rows, other times in a circle or star shape. Many of these had fifteen stripes. In 1818 the flag had twenty stars and thirteen stripes.

At some point we may add other states, possibly Puerto Rico, Guam, and/or the Virgin Islands, current US Territories, which would necessitate a redesign. They have been talked about, but are still currently just territories.

Since Monday is Memorial Day and you may see several flags during the day, I thought I might review proper flag etiquette. These can be found in The Federal Flag Code.

Displaying the Flag

·        Hours: Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. It may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated.

·        Weather: Do not display the flag during bad weather unless it is an all-weather flag.

·        Hanging Vertically: When hanging the flag on a wall or window, the blue starfield (union) must be positioned at the top and to the flag's own right (the observer's top left).

·        With Other Flags: When flown on the same halyard, the U.S. flag must always be at the peak. When displayed in a group, it must be at the center and at the highest point. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Respect & Usage Constraints

·        Never as Decoration: Do not use the flag for draping, festooning, or as bedding. Use red, white, and blue patriotic bunting for decoration instead.

·        Clothing & Merchandise: The flag should not be used as apparel. However, lapel pins and uniform patches (for military, police, and patriotic organizations) are acceptable.

·        Condition: The flag should be kept clean and mended. If it becomes too worn to serve as a symbol, it should be disposed of in a dignified manner, such as burning.

 

Salute & Pledging

·        Civilians: Stand at attention facing the flag with your right hand over your heart.

·        Military: Uniformed personnel render a hand salute. Veterans may render a hand salute or place their right hand over the heart.

 This not the whole code but does cover the basics. I hope you enjoy this Memorial Day and Always remember what it stands represents.

Many facts taken from: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/short-history-united-states-flag