Observed on June 14th, Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. What we know fondly as the “Stars and Stripes” was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official American flag on June 14, 1777, in the midst of the Revolutionary War.
Colonial troops fought under many flags with various symbols—rattlesnakes, pine trees, and eagles—and slogans—”Don’t Tread on Me,” “Liberty or Death,” and “Conquer or Die,” to name a few. The Declaration of Independence made the adoption of a unified American flag necessary.
On that 14th of June, Congress made the Flag Resolution of 1777, stating, “The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field …” The American flag, with its stars and stripes, represents the values and ideals upon which our nation was founded. Each element of the flag holds significance: the thirteen stripes symbolize the original thirteen colonies, while the fifty stars represent the states of the Union. The red, white, and blue colors embody courage, purity, and loyalty, respectively. The official announcement of the new flag was not made until Sept. 3, 1777.
The origins of the Stars and Stripes have become part of American folklore. Although many people believe that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first flag, there is no true proof of this.
However, records do indicate that Betsy Ross made ensigns and pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war, and she certainly inspired the design of the current flag. Based on colonial folklore, it has also been stated that the American flag was first flown in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777.
Fun Flag Facts:
- The original 1777 flag was designed to represent the 13 original colonies. It had 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes.
- One of the first flag designs had the stars arranged in a circle, based on the idea that all colonies were equal.
- The United States Congress decided in 1818 to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union.
- Each time a state was added to the union, a star was added. Today, there are 50 stars, one for each state in the union, but the 13 stripes remain.
The origins of Flag Day can be traced back to the late 19th century when a schoolteacher named Bernard J. Cigrand advocated for the establishment of a national day to honor the flag. His efforts gained momentum, and “Flag Day” was celebrated as a patriotic occasion for many decades, but it was President Woodrow Wilson who made the observance official by a presidential proclamation on May 30, 1916. In 1949, Congress passed legislation designating June 14th as National Flag Day.
Flag Day serves as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice that our flag represents. It is a day to honor the sacrifices of those who have fought and died defending our nation’s ideals, as well as to celebrate the diversity and unity of our country. May the flag continue to serve as a source of inspiration and pride for generations to come.