Flag Day and History Matters

Flag Day 2024: To survive in peace and harmony, united and strong, we must have one people, one nation, one flag.

Old Glory appears to be a source of contention for some. I believe that is because they were not taught the true history of our great Republic.

Some are working at our history slowly being erased and ignored. We all know it isn’t taught in schools as it should be. So, how can you appreciate what you don’t know?

Old Glory Deserves Our Respect

Sadly while some look to set her on fire and throw her to the ground, patriotic Americans still look up to her as a symbol of liberty and freedom only to be found in the United States of America. At the same time, we remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in her honor.

Approximately 1,304,705 American soldiers have died in our nation’s wars.

Statista

Here are some basic facts that may enlighten some. But for most of you, my patriotic readers, this article will only serve to reaffirm why Old Glory waving in the breeze is the ultimate symbol of why the United States of America is the world’s shining city on a hill.

With five chances on each hand and one unwavering aim, no boy, however poor, need despair. There is bread and success for every youth under the American flag who has energy and ability to seize his opportunity.
Orison Swett Marden

A Resolution Adopted by the Marine Committee

…of the Second Continental Congress, on June 14, 1777, called for an official United States flag. “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.”

The resolution did not instruct how many points the stars should have or how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. Consequently, some flags had stars scattered on the blue field without any specific design; some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle.

Respect the American Flag

The first Navy Stars and Stripes flags had stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five, and four. Some stars had six points, while others had eight.

Strong evidence indicates that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was responsible for the stars on the U.S. flag. When the flag resolution was adopted, Hopkinson was the Chairman of the Continental Navy Board’s Middle Department.

Hopkinson also helped design other devices for the Government, including the Great Seal of the United States. For his services, Hopkinson submitted a letter to the Continental Admiralty Board asking “whether a Quarter Cask of the public Wine will not be a proper & reasonable Reward for these Labours of Fancy and a suitable Encouragement to future Exertions of a like Nature.” However, his request was turned down since Congress regarded him as a public servant.

The Stars and Stripes First Flew on a Flag Day

….celebration in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1861, during the first summer of the Civil War. 620,000 soldiers gave their lives by the time the war was over. The first national observance of Flag Day occurred on June 14, 1877, the centennial of the original flag resolution.

By the mid-1890s, Flag Day on June 14 had become a popular event. As a result, mayors and governors began to issue proclamations in their jurisdictions to celebrate this event.

In the years to follow, public sentiment for a national Flag Day observance greatly intensified. Numerous patriotic societies and veteran groups became identified with the Flag Day movement. Since their main objective was to stimulate patriotism among the young, schools were the first to participate in flag activities.

In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. However, it was not until 1949 that Congress made this day a permanent observance by resolving “That the 14th day of June of each year is hereby designated as Flag Day. The measure was signed into law by President Harry Truman.

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Although Flag Day is not celebrated as a Federal holiday, Americans everywhere continue to honor the history and heritage it represents.

  • The Flag’s original design remained the same from 1777 to 1795.
  • The anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 was officially established by President Woodrow Wilson’s proclamation on May 30th, 1916.
  • Flag Day is also the birthday of the United States Army.
  • The American Flag’s colors have symbolism. Red stands for valor and hardiness. Blue stands for justice, perseverance, and vigilance. White stands for innocence and purity.
  • Since 1777, there have been 27 official versions of the U.S. Flag. Today’s 50-star version was created by a 17-year-old high school student in 1958 in Ohio for a class project. He got a B- on the project.
  • “Old Glory” was first used by Captain William Driver in 1831. He was a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, and called the flag Old Glory after being given a flag by friends.
  • Six American Flags are located on the moon. Apollo crews 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 planted the Flags. Five of the six are still standing. The first Flag, planted by Neil Armstrong, was blown over by the exhaust during the liftoff of Apollo 11.

When reading about Flag Day, I found a great video that gives a definitive history and review of the Stars and Stripes. (It’s still on YouTube — for the moment.) So sit back and enjoy!

National Constitution Center “The History of the U.S. Flag”

For more Flag Day History, visit our friends at Ammo.com: Flag Day: The Forgotten History of America’s Flag Day and What It Commemorates.

“We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth, peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home.”
Calvin Coolidge