How was the American flag created?
On June 14, 1777, to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Who created the original American flag?
Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross and the American Flag. Betsy would often tell her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends of a fateful day, late in May of 1776, when three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress came to call upon her.
Why are there 7 red stripes on the flag?
The 50 white stars (50 since July 4, 1960) stand for the 50 states of the union. And the seven red and six white horizontal stripes, or pales, represent the original 13 states, or British colonies.
Does the United States have two flags?
The flag of the United States goes by different names – The Stars and Stripes; The Red, White, and Blue; Old Glory; and The Star-Spangled Banner.
What was the first flag in the world?
The country with the oldest flag in the world is that of Denmark. The Danish flag, called the Danneborg, dates back to 13th century A.D. It is believed to have been in existence since June 15, 1219 though it was officially recognised as the national flag in 1625.
What does the flag on top of the White House mean?
The U.S. flag that is displayed on the rooftop flagpole on top the White House is often lowered to half-staff on the direction of the U.S. president in order to commemorate a certain occasion or object, such as a person or persons important to the United States who had recently died (such as prominent political figures …
Did America ever have 52 states?
The United States of America USA has had 50 states since 1959. The District of Columbia is a federal district, not a state. Many lists include DC and Puerto Rico, which makes for 52 “states and other jurisdictions”. The flag has 50 stars, one for each state.
What does it mean when a flag is flown upside down?
The United States Flag Code expresses the idea concisely, stating that a flag should never be flown upside-down, “except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
Where is the original American flag located in?
After the American Revolution began, the first, unofficial national flag-known as the Continental Colours (or, sometimes, as the Grand Union Flag, the Cambridge Flag, the Somerville Flag, or the Union Flag)-was hoisted on a towering 76-foot (23-metre) liberty pole at Prospect Hill in Charlestown (now in Somerville), Massachusetts , on January 1, 1776; it was raised at the behest of Gen. George Washington, whose headquarters were nearby.
What is the history of the American flag?
The History of the American Flag. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. The resolution stated: “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 .”.
What are some facts about the US flag?
The United States flag is one of the most well known flags throughout the world. The flag is unique and easy to recognize thanks to the use of three basic colors: blue, red, and white. The US flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes and a blue rectangle in the left corner with fifty white five-pointed starts.
What is the American flag made of?
American flags were traditionally made out of natural materials such as cotton and wool; however, synthetic versions such as nylon and polyester are becoming increasingly popular since they last longer.