Throughout the History of the USA the American flag has been there. After the start of the American Revolution on June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted its first resolution about a standard flag for the American Colonies. The resolution would become known as the “Stars and Stripes” and would define the flag as consisting of 13 stripes alternating of red and white with 13 stars on a blue field.
The first recorded observance of Flag Day was on June 14th, 1877, 100 years after the adoption of the standards by the Continental Congress. It was during the later part of the 19th century that schoolteachers would use Flag Day as a chance to teach US History. In 1916, President Wilson issued a proclamation stating June 14th, shall be National Flag Day and Congress official enacted Flag Day as a National Holiday in 1949.
The American Flag throughout its history has seen twenty-seven official versions. It was in 1912 that President Taft would standardize the appearance and look of the flag. Prior to that the makers could use their preference in how they made the flag. But after 1912 with the new flag at that time now sporting stars for the forty-eight states with the stars being arranged into six rows of stars. Today’s current version of the US Flag consists of stars with the last one being added in 1960 after Hawaii became the fiftieth state on August 21, 1959.
While the debate of Etiquette over the use and display of the American Flag goes on the flag today is seen as a symbol of American Freedom. Love or hate the Flag it represents the spirit and dreams of the American people. Over the last 50 years the symbol of the American Flag is seen on the arms of our troops and on the sad occasion draped across the caskets of our returning service members who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. And on the rare occasion across the casket of our US Presidents and Politicians as they are laid to rest.
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