History of the Flag
The United States Flag is the third
oldest of the National Standards of
the world; older than the Union Jack
of Britain or the Tricolor of France.
The flag was first authorized by
Congress June 14, 1777. This date is
now observed as Flay Day throughout
America.
The flag was first flown from Fort
Stanwix, on the site of the present
city of Rome, New York, on August 3,
1777. It was first under fire for
three days later in the Battle of
Oriskany, August 6, 1777.
It was first decreed that
there should be a star and
a stripe for each state,
making thirteen of both; for
the states at the time had
just been erected from the
original thirteen colonies.
The colors of the Flag may
be thus explained: The red
is for valor, zeal and
the fervency;
white for hope purity,
cleanliness of life, and
rectitude of conduct;
the blue, the color of
heaven, for reverence to
God, loyalty, sincerity,
justice and truth.
The star (an ancient symbol
of India, Persia and Egypt)
symbolized dominion and
sovereignty, as well as
lofty aspirations. The
constellation of the stars
within the union, one star
for each state, is emblematic
of our Federal Constitution,
which reserves to the States
their individual sovereignty
except as to rights delegated
by them to the Federal
Government.
The symbolism of the Flag was
thus interpreted by Washington:
"We take the stars from Heaven,
the red from our mother country,
separating it by white stripes,
thus showing that we have
separated from her, and the
white stripes shall go down
to posterity representing
Liberty."
In 1791, Vermont, and in 1792,
Kentucky were admitted to the
Union and the number of stars
and stripes was raised to
fifteen in correspondence.
As other states came into the
Union it became evident there
would be too many stripes. So
in 1818 Congress enacted that
the number of stripes be reduced
and restricted henceforth to
thirteen representing the
thirteen original states; while
a star should be added for each
succeeding state. That law is
the law of today.
The name "Old Glory" was given
to our National Flag August 10,
1831, by Captain William Driver
of the brig Charles Doggett.
The Flag was first carried in
battle at the Brandywine,
September 11, 1777. It first
flew over foreign territory
January 28, 1778, at Nassau,
Bahama Islands; Fort Nassau having
been captured by the American in
the course of the war for independence.
The first foreign salute to the
flag was rendered by the french
admiral LaMotte Piquet, off
Quiberon Bay, February 13, 1778.
The United States Flag is unique
in the deep and noble significance
of its message to the entire world,
a message of national independence,
of individual liberty, of idealism,
of patriotism.
It symbolizes national independence
and popular sovereignty. It is not
the Flag of a reigning family or
royal house, but of 205 million
free people welded into a Nation,
one and inseparable, united not
only by community of interest,
but by vital unity of sentiment
and purpose; a Nation distinguished
for the clear individual conception
of its citizens alike of their duties
and their privileges, their obligations
and their rights. It incarnates for all
mankind the spirit of Liberty and the
glorious ideal of human Freedom; not
the freedom of unrestraint or the
liberty of license, but an unique
ideal of equal opportunity for
life, liberty and the pursuit
of happiness, safeguarded by
the stern and lofty principles
of duty, of righteousness and
of justice, and attainable by
obedience to self-imposed laws.
Floating from lofty pinnacle of
American Idealism, it is a beacon
of enduring hope, like the famous
Bartholdi Statue of Liberty enlightening
the World to the oppressed of all lands.
It floats over a wondrous assemblage of
people from every racial stock of the
earth whose united hearts constitute
an indivisible and invincible force
for the defense and succor of the
downtrodden.
It embodies the essence of patriotism.
Its spirit is the spirit of the American
nation. Its history is the history of the
American people. Emblazoned upon its folds
in letters of living light are the names
and fame of our heroic dead, the Fathers
of the Republic who devoted upon its altars
their lives, their fortunes and their sacred
honor. Twice told tales of National honor and
glory cluster thickly about it. Ever victorious,
it has emerged triumphant from eight great
National conflicts. It flew at Saratog,
at Yorktown, at Palo Alto, at Gettysburg,
at Minala bay, at Chateau-Thierry, at Iwo
Jima. It bears witness to the immense
expansion of our national boundaries,
the development of our natural resources,
and the splendid structure of our civilization.
It prophesies the triumph of popular government,
of civic and religious liberty and of national
righteousness throughout the world.
The flag first rose over thirteen states
along the Atlantic seaboard, with a population
of some three million people. Today it flies
over fifty states, extending across the continent,
and over great islands of the two oceans; and two
hundred and file millions owe it allegiance.
It has been brought to this proud position by
love and sacrifice. Citizens have advanced it
and heroes have died for it. It is the sign made
visible of the strong spirit that has brought
liberty and prosperity to the people of America.
It is the flag of all us alike. Let us accord it
honor and loyalty.
Baron Desmond
