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TimeLines of Liberty
American History - Flags & Flag Day |
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Our Flag
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Flags of Liberty
Flag Day
- Observed on June 14th
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Development and history
of American Flags |
The
American
Flag
Old Glory - Ensign - Standard - Banner - Emblem
- Colours -
Red, White, and
Blue
-
Colors
-
Stars and Stripes
- Star Spangled Banner
National emblem -
Pennant -
National Ensign
The United States Flag |
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The
Flags of Liberty
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It is unknown who
designed the American Flag with the red and white stripes but the stripes
were first used by the British East India Company,
and had the British union jack in the upper left corner to
show allegiance to the Crown yet making a statement as to an
individual identity of the colonies.
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It is believed that the thirteen stars and thirteen
stripes was first designed by Congressman Francis Hopkinson,
however his stars had 6 points. Others independently
designed differing variations. A design was decided
upon in congress and then Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress,
was commissioned to construct the first official flag. Although
it would be difficult to say who actually designed
the flag, it will be the flag sewn by Betsy Ross that becomes legend.
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1492
Columbus |
Expedition |
Columbus
sailed the Atlantic Ocean to discover a new route to Asia and
India and instead found a new world later called
the Americas.
Sighting land he set anchor on October 12, 1492. |
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1700s |
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Early
Colonial |
Various flags were used among the colonies and
often reflected the confrontations with the wilderness. Bears,
beavers, rattlesnakes and other images became the insignias of
the flags. Mottos were often added to the design;
"Hope," "Liberty," "Appeal to
Heaven," or "Don't Tread on Me."
There were many seamstresses that were engaged in the business of
sewing flags, Just a few were Cornelia Bridges, Anne King,
Margaret Manny, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, Anne Ward and Rebecca
Young. |
1750?
Colonial |
Colonial Flag |
Before the
Revolutionary War the colonies uses various flags such as one
now called the Colonial flag. It was red with a red cross in a
white canton and in the upper hoist had a globe. |
1751
History |
Rattlesnakes |
Benjamin
Franklin wrote a satirical commentary in his Pennsylvania
Gazette in 1751 suggesting American Colonists should send
rattlesnakes to England to thank them for sending convicted
felons to America. That was the first use of the snake in
political commentary and later resistance. |
1754
History |
 |
Benjamin
Franklin sketched, carved, then published the first known
political cartoon in an American newspaper, in 1754. Using a
snake, the head represented New England as the head, with
sections for the colonies. Below the snake were the words, "Join
or Die." This became a plea for unity in defense of the
colonies during the French and Indian War. Several newspapers
throughout the colonies picked up on the cartoon to place it
into American culture, in flags and as a symbol of a shared
national identity. |
1765
History |
|
The snake
was again used when the Stamp Act of 1765 brought discontent
among the colonies. The Crown wanted greater control and taxes
from the Colonies, to help pay off the debt of the French and
Indian War. Col. Isaac Barre commented that the colonies hadn't
been planted by the care of the British government, they'd been
established by people fleeing it. |
1765
History |
Sons of Liberty |
Protesting
Colonial treatment by Britain in the late 1760s the Sons of
Libery flew a flag of 9 vertical stripes alternating between red
and white. The 9 stripes represent the colonies that
participated in the Stamp Act Congress of 1765;
Massachusetts,
Connecticut,
Rhode Island,
New York,
Pennsylvania,
Delaware,
Maryland, and
South Carolina.
The 4 white and 5 red stripes symbolized the "45," the number of
the pamphlet by English civil-rights activist John Wilkes,
published in 1763. John Wilkes' influence on the American
Revolution came second only to Tomas Paine's "Common Sense."
The first Sons of Liberty Flag is on display cased in in a
controlled environment at the Old State House in Boston,
Massachusetts . It is pictured in a July, 1936 National
Geographic magazine. |
1773
Flag House |
 |
The home Betsy Ross lived
in, when she sewed the first American Flag, was built perhaps 40
or so years before the birth of America. The house was of the
"bandbox" style; one room on each floor with a staircase
stepping down through each floor. The front portion was built
about 1740 and the piazza and rear section 10 or 20 years later.
The room at street-level was usually the business shop of
whatever business the occupant gained their living from. Among
the occupants during the 18th century were a shoemaker,
shopkeeper, apothecary and the most famous an upholsterer, Betsy
Ross. She lived in the house from 1773 to 1785. |
1774
History |
 |
The Sons of
Liberty became ever more resentful towards England. Paul Revere
in 1774 added a snake to the masthead of The Massachusetts Spy;
a snake fighting a British dragon. |
1774
History |
Taunton Flag |
A woman in
Taunton,
Massachusetts modified the
British Ensign, showing dissention against greater taxation
without representation. The British Ensign was taken and
the words "Liberty and Union" were added to the red field to
make the Taunton Flag; also known as the Liberty and Union flag.
It was raised on Taunton Green on October 21, 1774. |
| Early
War |
Numerous colonial and regimental flags were
designed and used during the Revolutionary War. |
1775
Military |
Regimental
Flags
Union Jacks |
Regimental
Flags were preferred by the Army, as there were no official flag
of the union of states during the early years of the American
Revolution. One popular design used the front of the Great Seal
in the canton. The national ensign flown by the Navy was
called a Jack, and would come to be known as the (U.S.) Union
Jack. Some regiments had flags some did not. Documentation of
regimental flags used are often non-existent or ambiguous.
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1775
Military |
Bedford Flag |
The oldest
known flag that currently exists today of early America is the
Bedford flag, dating back earlier into colonial history. It was
carried by Nathaniel Page with the minutemen to Concord Bridge
on April 19, 1775. Crimson silk 27"x29" nearly square would
indicate it was a Cavalry flag. The cloth was a rich red damask
with a weave that included pomegranates, grapes, and leaves.
Painted on both sides in silver and gold is the design A knights
arm reaching from clouds wields a sword. Three cannonballs hang
in the air. cresting around the arm is a ribbon on which the
words, "Vince Aut Morire," reading bottom to top, meaning,
"Conquer or Die." |
1775
Colonial |
Grand Union Flag
|
The flag
later to be known as the Grand Union Flag had been used as the
standard of the British East India Company. One of the earliest
widely used by the Colonialists, still believing themselves
subjects of the King, yet fighting for their rights. |
1775
Military |
Appeal to Heaven |
The "An
Appeal to Heaven" flag was used more as the ensign of the ships
that were commissioned by George
Washington. The New England Pine was used as a symbol of New
England before the European rush to colonize the New World. |
1775
Military |
Bunker Hill Flag |
The Bunker
Hill Flag is believed to have been carried by New England troops
into the battle at Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. It had a blue
field with a white canton that had a red cross with a tree in
the upper hoist side of the canton. |
1775
Military |
Continental Flag |
Removing the British Union Jack from the canton of the British
Red Ensign a New England Pine on white was placed keeping the
red field. A witness of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Colonel John
Trumbull, Painted "The Death of Warren" which depicted the red
Continental flag. There appears to be no other evidence as to
what flag or flags actually flew at the Battle of Bunker
Hill. |
1775
History |
 |
Rattlesnake
Themes became popular among the colonists with the slogan "Don't
Tread On Me" often used. The South
Carolina Navy used this theme for their ensign. |
1775
History |
Rattlesnake
designs |
A
correspondent from Philadelphia in a letter to the Pennsylvania
Journal in December of 1775, wrote about the symbolic use of the
snake.
"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness that of any
other animal, and that she has no eye-lids. She may, therefore,
be esteemed an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack,
nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders. She is, therefore, an
emblem of magnanimity and true courage.
It was probably the deadly bite of the rattler,
however, which was foremost in the minds of its designers, and
the threatening slogan "Don't Tread on Me" added further
significance to the design."
|
1775
Military |
Gadsen Flag |
The Gadsen
Flag had the rattlesnake poised to strike from a coil with a
yellow field and the motto, "Don't Tread On Me." This flag is
sometimes called the Hopkins flag for its designer, Esek Hopkins
of Rhode Island. |
1775
Military |
Culpepper Flag |
The Minute
Men of Culpepper County used the Culpepper flag. Inside the
ribbon banner "The Culpepper Minute Men" followed by the Mottos,
"Liberty or Death" then "Don't Tread on Me." It had the coiled
snake in the middle with a white field. That
Virginia
county is now spelled Culpeper County. |
1775
Military |
Moultrie Flag |
Named after
Col. William Moultrie the Moultrie Flag was one of the first
"American" designs displayed in the South. It flew over
Sullivan's Island in the channel leading to Charleston,
South Carolina. The flag is
blue with a white crescent in the canton that had inside it
"Liberty." |
1775
Military |
2nd Moultrie flag |
A second
version of the Moultrie Flag has Liberty along the bottom of the
flag below the crescent. It is not inconceivable that as banners
were replaced the design changed, either for esthetics or ease
of sewing. A crescent was a silver emblem worn on the caps of
Col. Moultrie's soldiers. "Liberty" honors the SC troops that
defended Sullivan's Island, on June 28, 1776, against the
British. |
1775
Military |
Rhode Island
Regiment Flag |
Rhode
Island's Maritime Colony had the Rhode Island Regiment Flag; 13
green stars in a blue field in the canton (the union corner), an
anchor below a ribbon that said, "Hope" on an overall white
field. Many believe the the 13 stars may have influenced the
design of the first American Flag. The Maritime flag was carried
at Brandywine, Trenton, and Yorktown. |
1775
Military |
Connecticut
Regiment Flag
 |
During the
American Revolution, Connecticut's Regimental standards were of
the same design but of different colors. Wooster's was to be
yellow, Spencer's blue, Putnam's scarlet, Hinman's crimson,
Waterbury's white, Parson's azure, Webb's blue (?), and
Huntington's orange. The Design was on one side, with
Connecticut's shield bearing the motto, "Qui Transtulit Sustinet"
(He Who Transplanted Still Sustains). In 1889 the State
Librarian, Charles J. Hoadly, suggested the origin of the motto
may be from the 80th Psalm; "Thou hast brought a vine out of
Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou
preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root,
and it filled the land." The other side has the traditional
motto, "An Appeal To Heaven." |
1775
Military |
Forster Flag |
Forster
Family tradition claims the Forster Flag was captured by the
Minutemen from the British on April 19, 1775, the first day of
the Revolution. If so it had to have been captured by the
British from a Colonial regiment prior. The colors and design do
not match those used by the British. Perhaps it was flown by a
Colonial Regiment that day. We will never know. |
1775
U.S. Flag
History |
Boston Liberty |
The Sons of
Liberty met in Hanover Square in Boston at an old elm called the
Liberty Tree. They used a flag design that had nine horizontal
stripes alternating between red and white. The Boston Liberty
Flag was flown above the Liberty Tree. Originally the stripes
were vertical until the Revoultionary War when the stripes
were changed, perhaps to conform with the Grand Union Flag and
or the navy Union Jack. |
1775
Military |
Grand Union Flag |
During the
fall of 1775 Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet
signals for the first ships of the Continental Navy as they
readied for war on the Delaware River. Hopkins also ordered a
striped Jack and Ensign to be flown. Navy Lieutenant John Paul
Jones may have been the first to raise the colonial navy ensign,
later to be known as the Grand Union Flag on December 3, 1775
aboard the Alfred, flagship of Captain Esek Hopkin's Colonial
Fleet on the Delaware River. It was the first design used in the
American Revolution to resemble our Stars and Stripes. It has 13
alternate red and white stripes with the British Union Jack in
the upper left-hand corner. |
1775
Union
Jack |
1st Navy
Union Jack |
The first
U.S. Navy Jack is probably a simple 13 horizontal red and white
stripes alternating. It is the one of two possible designs that
holds historical evidence. The U.S. Union Jack is a Maritime
Flag that is flown by Military Vessels and any other
governmental agencies. The Jack is flown on the bow (the front)
of the ship and the ensign (the national flag) is flown from the
stern (the back) of it when it is moored or anchored. Once it is
underway the ensign will be flown from the main mast. |
1775
Union
Jack |
Traditional
1st Navy
Union Jack |
The
first U.S. Navy Jack had been thought, as is traditionally held,
to be that of 13 horizontal red and white stripes alternating,
then the image of the rattlesnake over the stripes and the
words, "Don't Tread On Me." No evidence supports the tradition.
Most likely a confusion was made from the account of when
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams writing to the Ambassador of
Naples describing the American flag and also that of, "South
Carolina, a rattlesnake, in the middle of the thirteen stripes."
It is used today in the Navy and held officially as the "First
Navy Jack." |
1775
Military |
Commander
-In-Chief |
The
personal flag of the Commander-In-Chief during the Revolutionary
War is called Washington's Flag 1775. It has 13, 6-sided stars,
alternately 3 and 2 stars vertically, on a blue field. |
|
A Nation Declared |
A flag
provides a national Identity, for its territory, commerce,
shipping upon the seas, and defense. A flag is the visual
symbolic rally cry, of a nation. |
1776
U.S. Flag
History |
Grand Union Flag |
On January
1 the Grand Union Flag is displayed on Prospect Hill.
Sometimes called the Congress Colors, the First Navy Ensign and
Cambridge Flag it was the first design to resemble our Stars and
Stripes. The Declaration of Independence made the Grand Union
Flag inappropriately obsolete. Many improvisations were made
among the colonies. Stars in various designs within a blue
canton became the custom standard for the American flag. |
1776
U.S. Flag
History |
Francis Hopkins |
Francis
Hopkinson claimed to have been first to design the American flag
although his had 6-point stars, was similar to the Betsy Ross
flag. A circular design may have first been suggested by
John Adams based upon an Adams heirloom seal. Adams design was
described a having a circular constellation of the lyre of
Orpheus of thirteen stars to represent an endless duration. |
1776
U.S. Flag
History |
Francis Hopkins |
Francis
Hopkinson designs a flag similar to the flag that will be
adopted on June 14, 1777, except that his has 6-point stars.
Apparently Francis Hopkins had designed two or more variations. |
1776
U.S. Flag
History |
Grand Union Flag |
The Grand
Union Flag is still used as an unofficial flag as of July 4th,
1776, day of the ratification and then the signing of the
Declaration of
Independence by President John Hancock
and Secretary Charles Thomson. The others will not sign until
August. The Grand Union Flag will remain an unofficial flag of
the Revolution until June 14, 1777. It will
be decided to use the basic design of the Grand Union Flag,
however the severing ties with England required the removal
of the British Union Jack. |
1776
U.S. Flag
History |
Betsy Ross |
Betsy Ross
meets with the flag committee, of the newly declared United
States of America, in a back room of her house, to discuss the
construction of the first American Flag.
The Betsy Ross flag has 13
stripes alternating red and white with a field of blue in the
upper left corner (canton) containing a circle of thirteen white stars. |
1776
Military |
Regimental |
Cambridge
headquarters issued General Orders on February 20, 1776 that
each regiment must have a Standard, Regimental Colors as
well as colors for each Grand Division. The Regimental Flag was
to be small and light, and have on it the Regiment number and a
motto.
One regimental colors of the New Hampshire 2nd, was captured by
the British and is thought to have the words, "American
Congress" in the cent with, "We Are One" below. |
1777
Military |
Battle of Cowpens |
As no official
pattern for the stars had been set, the Third
Maryland Regiment
used a pattern that had a circle of 12 stars with one star in
the center. It is known as the Battle of Cowpens Flag as it was
flown at that battle in South Carolina in 1781. That actual flag
hangs, today, in the Maryland State House. |
1777
U.S. Flag
History
Legislation |
13 Stars
Design
Rules |
A resolution in Congress
on June 14, 1777 sets the
design of the American Flag, "the Flag of the United States
be 13 stripes alternate red and white," and that "the
Union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new
constellation." One star and one stripe for each of the
original thirteen states;
Delaware, December 7, 1787;
Pennsylvania, December 12,
1787; New Jersey, December 18,
1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788;
Connecticut, January 9, 1788;
Massachusetts, February 6,
1788; Maryland, April 28,
1788; South Carolina, May 23,
1788; New Hampshire, June 21,
1788; Virginia, June 25, 1788;
New York, July 26, 1788;
North Carolina, November 21,
1789; and Rhode Island,
May 29, 1790. |
1777
Union
Jack |
 |
As of the
adoption of the American Flag, on July 14, 1777 the United
States Union Jack, the U.S. Maritime flag, became that of the
Canton of the American Flag. The U.S. Union Jack is the Navy
Jack.
The Union Jack will follow the American Flag adding a star
whenever a state is admitted to the Union. |
1777
Union
Jack |
 |
As the
American flag started out without a set pattern the Union Jack
also did not have a specific pattern. Variations were used. The
Union Jack had 13 stars from June 14, 1777 to May 1, 1795 |
1777
Military |
Stark Flag |
The Green
Mountain Boys were a militia brigade under General John Stark of
New Hampshire.
They used a green flag with a blue canton and 13 stars in an
arbitrary order, signifying the unified struggle of the Thirteen
Colonies for independence. Tradition has it that the Stark
flag was flown at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777.
However, another flag similar in design was flown or also was
flown. |
1777
Military |
Stark Flag ? |
There is
another account that a Regimental flag described
as having a green field and a blue
canton with 13 gold-painted stars arranged in rows had been
flown at the Battle of
Bennington. However it may have been a later replacement for the
flag of the Green Mountain boys, wrongly described, or the
regiment had more than one flag flown at the battle. We may
never know the truth. |
1777
U.S. Flag
History |
Filmore Flag
Tradition debunked |
The
Fillmore Flag had been believed to have been used in the Battle
of Bennington, but investigation into the weave of the flag
proves otherwise. This design has two stars in the upper corners
of the blue canton with the numbers "76" under an arch of 11
stars. Mistakenly called the Bennington Flag it was taken
home during the War of 1812 and passed down through Millard Fillmore and is now on
display at Vermont's Bennington Museum.
. |
1777
Military |
Brandywine flag |
The
Brandywine Flag is so called for having been carried at the
Battle of Brandywine on September 11, 1777. |
1778
U.S. Flag
History |
Design
Red, White & Blue Stripes |
It was
necessary that nations, friendly to the new United States of
America, be easily able to recognize American ships to
distinguish from pirate ships. American Commissioner in France,
Arthur Lee, wrote to Continental Congress President
Henry Laurens that U.S.
Ship's "colors should be white, red, and blue alternately to
thirteen" and have a "blue field with thirteen stars" in the
canton. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams as Ambassadors to
France had also written a description of United States Flags.
"It is with pleasure that we acquaint your Excellency that the
flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen
stripes, alternately red, white, and blue; a small square in the
upper angle, next the flagstaff, is a blue field, with thirteen
white stars, denoting a new constellation" |
1779
Music |
Anthem |
Frances Scott Key,
author of "The Star Spangled Banner", was born on
August 1st in Frederick,
Maryland.
Next Anthem entry |
1779
Military |
Serapis flag,
Franklin flag,
John Paul Jones
flag
|
"Sir, I
have not yet begun to fight!" in response to the British request
for a surrender. In the Battle of Flamborough Head the ships
fire cannons at point blank range. The Bonhomme Richard is sank
and it's ensign is blown into the water, However, Captain John
Paul Jones and his crew commandeered the British Serapis. The
British tried to convince other nations that the Serapis without
a nation's flag was a pirate ship and John Paul Jones should be
apprehended as such. Based upon the description by
Franklin and Adams in 1778 a version was
hastily designed to designate Captain John Paul Jones and the
Serapis as American. It has been called the Serapis flag, the
Franklin Flag and in 2000 depicted on a U.S. stamp, called the
"John Paul Jones flag" stamp. the Serapis flag uses
8 point stars. Dutch historical governmental records still
held the original sketch of the Serapis flag Dated 5 October
1979. One day before, the Francis Hopkins design, assigned to
the Alliance, was entered into the Dutch records.
There were four other similar designs that although were
recognized as American did not meet the criteria specified in
the Flag Resolution of 1777, which stated the stripes were to be
red and white.
See - 1993 -
2000 |
| |
 |
Captured by
the British in 1779, Connecticut's twenty gun Warship, the
Oliver Cromwell |
1781
Military |
Battle of Cowpens |
The Battle of
Cowpens Flag (1777) got its name for being
flown by the Third
Maryland Regiment at the Battle of Cowpens in
South
Carolina. |
1781
Military |
Guilford Flag |
The
Guilford Flag has 8 pointed blue stars in a stretched canton of
white with stripes of red and blue on the field. It was carried
by North Carolina militiamen at the Battle of Guilford
Courthouse on March 17, 1781. |
1781
Military |
Regimental |
Rebecca
Young was paid for stitching the Standard of the First United
States Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Josiah Harmar, in
October, 1784. The design is lost in memories past. |
1783
Military |
Pierre L'Enfant |
The
architect Pierre L'Enfant, later to design the Nation's Capital,
sketched a flag in 1783, for a draft of a membership diploma for
the Society of the Cincinnati, a Veteran's organization of
officers of the Revolutionary War. |
1787
U.S. Flag
History |
Expedition |
The American Flag
is carried on the sailing vessel of Captain
Robert Gray around the tip of South America, to China, and
beyond. He discovered and
named the Columbia River after his ship. The
discovery by Captain Gray became the
basis of America's claim to the
Oregon Territory. |
1787
President |
Commander
in Chief |
The
ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787
designated the President as also the Commander in Chief, of the
Army and Navy. It will not be until 1858 that the first of the
two services would symbolize the President's duties with a flag
of command. |
1795
U.S.
Flag |
15stars-15stripes |
The 1795 Flag was
adopted to include those states more recently added to the
union, Vermont
on March 4, 1791 and
Kentucky on June 1, 1792. It had 15 Stars and 15 Stripes. |
1795
Union
Jack |
 |
The Union
Jack following the Canton of the American Flag will fly 15-stars
from May 1, 1795 to July 3, 1818. This Jack flew at the
time the War of 1812 began. |
|
1800s |
1803
U.S. Flag
History |
Indian Peace Flag |
The Indian Peace Flag was
often among the gifts given to peaceful Indian Nations. The U.S.
coat of arms was often in the canton. |
1806
U.S. Flag
History |
Display |
The "Stars and Stripes" was first raised
in
Kansas in September, 1806 by a Pawnee Indian
Chief.
|
1812
Military |
Regimental |
Captain
James Lawrence of the Chesapeake gave the following words of
exhortation as he lay dying during the War of 1812. "Don't
Give Up The Ship." Three months later Commodore Perry is
victorious at the Battle of Lake Erie. Perry had Captain
Lawrence's words, "Don't Give Up The Ship" placed on a banner
that had flown over the victory. |
1812
U.S. Flag
History |
ceremonial |
The
Bennington flag was thought to have been flown at the Battle of
Bennington. However a study of the fibers (performed in 1995)
showed it was machine-spun cotton, a process not possible until
1800 and not practical until 1810. It was probably made
commemorating independence during the years of the War of 1812
or to commemorate the 50th anniversary in 1826. History of the
Fillmore family dates the flag firmly back to around that time.
The Bennington Flag had 11, 8-point stars curved around the year
"76" with two stars in the upper corners, the rest of the field
has 13 white and red stripes alternating. It also was called the
Filmore Flag as it was passed down through the family of
President Millard Filmore |
1813
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled
Banner |
Mary
Pickersgill, of Baltimore, was commissioned by
Major George Armistead, Fort McHenry Commander (paid
$405.90), to make a 30 by 42 foot Flag to fly over Fort McHenry.
The stars and stripes both were 2 feet wide. It was delivered to
For McHenry on August 19, 1813. - See 1814 |
1814
Music |
Anthem
Star Spangled
Banner |
From the
deck of a British prisoner-exchange ship Francis Scott Key
watches the battle at Fort McHenry, in the harbor in Baltimore,
Maryland on September 13, 1814. Observing the American Flag
still flying over the fort the next morning, as the battle
ended, Francis Scott Key
writes the words to a poem that will become "The Star-Spangled Banner." He
had set the
meter to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven". Later set
to the music, it officially
becomes the national anthem in 1931.
- See
1912 - 1931.
-
The inspiration for the poem that became our National Anthem. |
1814
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled
Banner |
The inspiration
for our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner flag was commissioned
by Major
George Armistead, Fort McHenry Commander. Passed down and
preserved by the
Armistead family it was given to the Smithsonian Institution in 1912. It is now on exhibit at the National Museum of American
History.
- Fort
McHenry Monument |
1814
Military |
 |
The Easton
Flag was presented to the First Regiment of Volunteers during
the War of 1812 by citizens of Easton,
Pennsylvania. The canton of
stars and field of strips were reversed. |
1818
U.S.
Flag |
20 Stars
13 Stripes Fixed |
Congress, on April
4th, mandated that
the number of stripes be fixed at 13 and that one new star was
to be added for each new state effective the July 4th following
admission. |
1818
U.S.
Flag |
20 Stars |
The 1818 flag
reflects 20 states in the union with the adding of
Tennessee,
June 1, 1796;
Ohio,
March 1, 1803;
Louisiana,
April 30, 1812;
Indiana,
December 11, 1816; and Mississippi,
December 10, 1817..
Congress failed to specify the order of the stars so on July
4th, 1818 there were three star configurations that were
simultaneously used |
1818
U.S.
Flag |
Grand Star Flag |
One of the
20 star arrangements had 4 rows of 5 stars. Another had four
rows of 5 stars with the 2nd and 4th row indented. The
third known as the Grand Star Flag had the 20 stars arranged to
outline one larger star. |
1818
Union
Jack |
 |
The Union
Jack begins to fly 20-stars on July 4th, 1818. |
1819
U.S.
Flag |
21 Stars |
One star is added to
the American Flag for the admission, on December 3, 1818, of the state of
Illinois. |
1819
Union
Jack |
 |
The Union
Jack flies 21-stars beginning on July 4th, 1819. |
1820
U.S.
Flag |
23 Stars |
Two more stars
added for
Alabama,
December 14, 1819 and
Maine,
March 15, 1820, now totaling 23. This was the
first flag planted on Pikes Peak. |
1820
Union
Jack |
 |
The Union
Jack flies 23-stars commencing on July 4th, 1820. |
1822
U.S.
Flag |
24 Stars |
One star added to
the American Flag makes
24, one more for
Missouri,
August 10, 1821. |
1822
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1822 the Union Jack begins to fly 24-stars. |
1824
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
In 1824 the
flag that would be given to Capt. William Driver in 1831 that he
would name "Old Glory" is sewn together by his family and
friends. |
1824
Texas |
Alamo |
In the
Texas fight against Mexico, for independence, the Alamo flew a
flag with green, white, and red vertical bars. A replica of the
flag showed the date 1824, however the date was probably added
in commemoration to, "Remember the Alamo!" |
1826
U.S. Flag
History |
Ceremonial |
The
Bennington Flag was used for the 50th Anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence, in 1826. Some believe it may have
been designed for the Anniversary and not used during the
Revolution, as it is typical of the artistic expressions of 19th
Century flags. |
1829
Music |
Hymn |
"My Country 'Tis of
Thee" was sung for the first time at the Park Street Church in
Boston,
Massachusetts on July 4, 1829. |
1831
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
Captain
William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem,
Massachusetts,
coins the name "Old Glory". Preparing for
another of his voyages aboard the brig CHARLES DOGGETT he was
presented with a flag of twenty four stars. Gloriously unfurling
to the ocean breeze, Captain Driver, in patriotic exclaim, cries
"Old Glory!" "Old glory" would accompany him on
his ship twice around the world and be displayed by him
regularly at patriotic events and holidays.
- 1837 - 1862 |
1834
Military |
regimental
|
Army
Artillery units began to use the Stars and Stripes officially in
1834. The Army Artillery units previously had a preference for
regimental flags. General Regulations for the Army specified the
standard to be silk, 27 inches hoist by 29 inches fly, with a
yellow silk fringe, carried on a 9-foot lance tipped with a
spearhead, of basic design that is still used by the U.S. Army
today. The Infantry began to use the same flag in 1842.
|
1835
Texas |
Texas Stand |
The
Gonzales Banner was flown during the Texas war for Independence
from Mexico. Requesting the return of a cannon seized during the
battle of Gonzales, four years earlier on January 1, 1831, the
Texans responded with a banner that read "Come And Take It." |
1837
U.S. Flag
History |
Golden Fringe |
The first
use of a golden fringe on the American Flag is recorded in 1835. |
1836
U.S.
Flag |
25 Stars |
For
Arkansas becoming a state on June
15, 1836, one
more star. The U.S. Flag now
numbers
25 stars. |
1836
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1836 another state is admitted to the Union so the Union
Jack begins to fly 25 stars. |
1837
U.S.
Flag |
26 Stars |
The U.S. Flag now
has
26
stars with the addition of
Michigan
becoming a state on January 26, 1837. |
1837
U.S. Flag
History |
Great Star Flag |
War of 1812
Naval war hero, Captain Samuel C. Reid suggested an arrangement
of stars into one large star pattern. Such was a popular
19th century design. |
1837
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
Retiring
in Nashville Captain
William Driver brings
his treasured flag from his sea days with him. "Old
Glory" became known by many around Nashville. When
Tennessee seceded from the Union, Rebel soldiers sought to
destroy "Old Glory". Repeated searches failed to
produce the banner. - 1831
- 1862 |
1837
Union
Jack |
 |
26 stars
fly on the Union Jack beginning on July 4th, 1837. |
1837
Military |
Golden Fringe |
The Army
officially used a golden fringe on the American Flag in 1837.
This is the only thread to attempt to support a meaning for a
gold fringe, otherwise there is no symbolic meaning of a golden
fringe on the American Flag. |
1842
Military |
Gen. Fremont |
In 1841,
General John Fremont Married Jessie, daughter of Senator Thomas
H. Benton. Jessie designed and sewed the flag General Fremont
would carry, as he explored the west during the 1840s. It was
not usual for the army to carry the national flag at that time. |
1842
Military |
regimental |
Army
Infantry units began to use the Stars and Stripes officially in
1842. The Infantry previously had a preference for
regimental flags. Artillery units had been using it since
1834. |
1845
U.S.
Flag |
27 Stars |
Florida's admission
to the Union on March 3, 1845 increases
the stars on the flag to 27. |
1845
Union
Jack |
 |
27 stars
are flown on the Union Jack beginning on July 4th, 1845. |
1846
U.S.
Flag |
28 Stars |
The 1846 Flag had
28 stars with the addition of
Texas on
December 29, 1845. One design has 4 rows of 7
stars in the union. |
1846
Union
Jack |
 |
Beginning
on July 4th, 1846 even seven on four rows for 28 stars on the
Union Jack. |
1846
Union
Jack |
California |
In 1846 a
flag was made and flown over the plaza of the adobe home of
Mexican General Vallejo. Brown muslin was donated a four inch
strip from a red petticoat was sewn across the bottom. A star
was drawn in the corner, influenced by the Texas star. A crude
drawing of a grizzly bear was placed next to the star. |
1847
U.S.
Flag |
29 Stars |
The 29 Star Flag
has one more star for
Iowa becoming a state on
December 28, 1846. |
1847
U.S. Flag History
Military |
29 Star Diamond |
The diamond
pattern becomes standard on garrison flags in 1845. One star is
added in 1847 due to
Iowa becoming a state. The
pattern of the stars have not as yet been fixed. |
1847
Union
Jack |
 |
Beginning
on July 4th, 1847, 29 stars fly on the Union Jack. |
1848
U.S.
Flag |
30 Stars |
The 30 Star Flag
adds yet another star for
Wisconsin's
statehood on May 29, 1848. |
1848
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1847, adding a star and a row to even 30 stars flying on
the Union Jack. |
1849
U.S. Flag
History |
Yacht Ensign |
An American
Yacht ensign was created in 1849 and has a foul anchor inside a
circle of 13 stars in the union. In 1847 Commodore Stevens
suggested to the Sec. of the Treasury that non-commercial
vessels be exempt from inspection to reduce the manpower
required to inspect every ship. The Yacht ensign when flown,
allowed for ready identification. The official American Flag or
the American Yacht ensign may be flown on non commercial ships,
however the American Yacht ensign may only be flown in American
waters. |
1851
U.S.
Flag |
31 Stars |
California
becoming a state on September 9, 1850 brings
the flag to 31 stars. |
1851
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1851, 31 stars fly on the Union Jack. |
1854
Music |
Sousa Marches |
John Philip Sousa
is born on November 6th, 1854, in Washington
D. C.. In 1896
John Philip Sousa will compose "The Stars and Stripes
Forever". - 1896
- 1897
- 1932 |
1858
U.S.
Flag |
32 Stars |
Minnesota
on May 11, 1858 becomes a state, to give us the 32-star Flag. |
1858
President |
Commander
in Chief |
The Bureau
of Navigation's Signals for the Use of the United States Navy in
1858 wrote provisions for the designation of the Commander in
Chief's presence aboard a ship by hoisting the U.S. Union Jack
at the head of the mainmast. |
1858
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1858, 32 stars begin to fly on the Union Jack. |
1859
U.S.
Flag |
33 Stars |
Oregon
facilitates the 33-star Flag when becoming a state on February
14, 1859. |
1859
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1859, the Union Jack gets another star to fly 33. |
| A Nation
Divided |
The Civil
War brought brother against brother. The issues were State
Rights and Slavery. The flags of the Confederate States of
America became void upon the victory of the Union Army, however
they remain solidly placed in annals of American History. |
1860
Confederate |
 |
During the
South Carolina secession
convention in December, 1860 many "secession flags" were flown.
One of them is called the "South Carolina Sovereignty" or
"Secession Flag." |
1861
U.S.
Flag |
34 Stars |
The 1861 Flag had
34 stars in the blue union accounting for
Kansas
becoming a state on January 29, 1861. President
Lincoln,
in the face of states seceding from the Union, refused to allow
removal of any stars. |
1861
U.S. Flag
Military |
Fort Sumter Flag |
The Fort
Sumter flag was flying over the for in Charleston on April 12,
1861 when the Civil War began. More than 500,000 men from the
North and the South would die before it would be unfurled and
fly there again in 1865. Garrisons used a diamond design for the
stars. |
1861
Military |
Cavalry Guidon |
The Cavalry
Guidon with gold stars and a swallowtail was carried by the
cavalry during the Civil War. General Custer and others used
this version through the next few decades of the wild west.
- 1862 |
1861
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1861, 34 stars fly the Union Jack |
1861
Military |
2d Rg Dragoons |
Dated after
July 4th, 1861 into 1862 is the standard of the 2nd Regiment
Dragoons. The surviving flag is quite tattered showing at least
half the stars, which allowed the dating to circa 1861. It had
an eagle with gold stars above and gold ribbon below with the
words "Second Regiment Dragoons." In 1862 guidons were specified
to be in the form of the Stars and Stripes but with stars in
gold in concentric circles and one star in each corner of the
canton. Another rendition showed 13 gold stars. |
1861
Confederate |
Bonnie Blue |
A variety
of flags were flown by southerners during the Civil War. During
the early months of 1861 the "Bonnie Blue Flag" was used as an
unofficial flag for the Confederacy. |
1861
Confederate |
"Stars and Bars" |
The first
official Confederate Battle Flag had three stripes, red, white,
and red with 7 stars circled in a blue field placed in the
canton. It first flew in Montgomery,
Alabama by the United Confederate
States of America from March 1861 to may of 1863, with four
variations as stars were added for states joining the
Confederacy. The first variation with 7 stars flew from May 4,
1861 to May 21, 1861. Similarity on the battlefield caused
confusion ending its use. The seven stars were for the seven
original Confederate States; South
Carolina, December 20, 1860; Mississippi,
January 9, 1861;
Florida,
January 10,1861;
Alabama, January 11, 1861;
Georgia,
January 19, 1861; Louisiana,
January 26, 1861; and
Texas, February
1, 1861. |
1861
Confederate |
Confederate
Navy Jack |
The first
Confederate Navy Jack was 7 white stars on a light blue field.
It flew from 1861 to 1863. |
1861
Confederate |
Gen. Lee's HQ |
General
Robert E. Lee's wife, Mary Custis Lee may have sewn the
Headquarters flag that he flew much of the Civil War; about 1862
to 1864. One story says she chose the pattern to resemble the
Bible's Ark of the Covenant. |
1861
Confederate |
Stars and Bars |
The second
variation of the Stars and Bars had 9 stars flying from May 21,
1861 to July 2, 1861. |
1861
Confederate |
Stars and Bars |
The third
variation of the Stars and Bars had 11 stars and was flown from
July 2, 1861 to November 1861. |
1861
Confederate |
Stars and Bars |
The fourth
version of the Stars and Bars had 13 stars and flew from
November 28, 1861 to May 1, 1863 |
1861
Confederate |
Confederate
Battle Flag |
The
Confederate Battle flag (Southern Cross) was the most known of
all the Confederate flags. Confederate troops were more likely
to have carried this battle flag. The 13 stars represented the
eleven states actually in the Confederacy as well as
Kentucky and
Missouri.
The battle flag had a red field with a blue diagonal cross (x)
outlined in white. One white star in the middle of the cross
with three more on each of the four wings. |
1862
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
Union forces
captured Nashville,
Tennessee and raised the American flag over the
capital. People began asking Captain Driver if "Old
Glory" still existed. With Union soldiers to accompany him
Captain Driver went home and ripping at the seams of his
bedcover exposed the 24-star "Old Glory"!
- 1831
- 1837 |
1862
Military |
Cavalry Guidon |
The 34 Star
Cavalry Guidon was used at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6th &
7th, 1862. Shiloh was the name of a Church at Pittsburgh's
Landing,
Tennessee.
This Battle Fag is in private possession and had been displayed
in Oregon on the Antique Road show. - 1861 |
1862
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
At sixty years of
age Captain Driver climbed the capitol tower to fly his Old
Glory as the Sixth Ohio Regiment cheered and saluted.
Captain Driver is buried in the old Nashville Cemetery and by an
act of Congress is the 3rd place authorized to fly the flag 24
hours a day. - 1831
- 1837 - 1862 |
1862
Music |
Hymn |
The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Julia Ward
Howe is first published in the Atlantic Monthly. |
1863
U.S.
Flag |
35 Stars |
Flag with 35
stars is
authorized with the addition of
West Virginia joining the Union on June 20, 1863. |
1863
President |
|
It was
designated by the Navy in 1863 that the Ensign (American Flag)
would fly on the head of the mainmast instead of the Jack to
designate the presence of the President. |
1863
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1863, 35 stars, 5 rows of seven, fly the Union Jack. |
1863
Confederate |
2nd Confederate
Flag Design
|
The second
official flag of the Confederate States was adopted on May 1st,
1863. The Confederate Battle Flag is placed as the canton on a
white field. This flag was often mistaken for a white flag of
surrender. Imagine this flag hanging limp on a staff or mast
during a time of no breeze. |
1863
Confederate |
2nd Confederate
Navy Jack |
The second
Confederate Navy Jack was used in the Confederate navy beginning
in 1863. Although it has never been the national flag of
the Confederacy, it has become the more commonly recognized
symbol of the South. It has more recently been
illegitimately used by neo-nazi and other bigot organizations
with that use being denounced by the Southern States. The
Confederate Navy Jack was taken from the Confederate Battle flag
and stretched to a rectangular flag. Note that this flag
is not the "Stars and Bars," which refers to the national flag
of the Confederacy. |
1864
President |
|
It was
designated the Jack would fly on the head of the mainmast in
1864, instead of the Ensign (American Flag) to designate the
presence of the President. |
1865
U.S.
Flag |
36 Stars |
36 Star
Flag becomes the official U.S. flag by the statehood of
Nevada on October 31, 1864. |
1865
President |
|
It was
designated in 1865, the Ensign (American Flag) would fly on the
head of the mainmast instead of the Jack to designate the
presence of the President. |
1865
Union
Jack |
 |
36 stars on
the Union Jack as of July 4th, 1865. |
1865
Military |
Gen. Custer |
During the
battle at Dinwiddie Court House near Petersburg, Virginia on
March 31st, 1885 General George Armstrong Custer, after delivery
on the battlefield, took his personal Battle Flag and on
horse-back, charged the Confederate lines of General George
Pickett, facilitating Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Court House
a few days later. The Battle flag 5'8"x3', was handmade of
silk with a swallow-tail, two horizontal bars of red over white
with hand cut white, cross sabers identifying it as a cavalry
flag. Custer's battle flag was made by his wife Elizabeth 'Libbie'
Custer and was kept by him until his death at Little Bighorn on
June 25, 1876. Custer's Flag on June 23, 2007 sold for $896,250. |
1865
Confederate |
3rd Confederate
Flag Design |
On March
4th, 1865 the Confederate States of America adopted a third
design as their nation's flag. A red bar was added on the fly of
the previous white field. |
1865
Military |
 |
With some
enlarging and redesign of the anchor the personal flag of
Secretary of the Navy has kept the same basic design, white
anchor & 4 stars on a blue field, since it was adopted in 1866.
In parades, indoor or displayed on a staff it is trimmed with
golden yellow fringe, with golden yellow cord and tassels. The
staff is topped with a brass spread eagle. |
1867
U.S.
Flag |
37 Stars |
The U.S. Flag
has 37 stars
in 1867 by the addition of
Nebraska
becoming a state on March 1. |
1867
Union
Jack |
 |
Union Jack
has 37 stars flying, as of July 4th, 1867. |
1867
President |
|
In 1867, it
was designated the Jack would fly on the head of the mainmast
instead of the Ensign (American Flag) when the President was
present. |
1869
USPS |
Stamp |
The first time the
American Flag is displayed on a postage stamp was in 1869. |
1870
President |
|
It was
designated in 1870, the Ensign (American Flag) would fly on the
head of the mainmast instead of the Jack to signal the presence
of the United States President. This remained the policy until
1882. |
1876
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled
Banner |
In a letter
to Georgiana Armistead Appleton, daughter of Fort McHenry
Commandant, Lt. Col. George Armistead, Caroline Pickersgill
Purdy recounted the details of the making of the Star Spangled
Banner flag.
It was made by my
mother, Mrs. Mary Pickersgill, and I assisted her. My
grandmother, Rebecca Young, made the first flag of the
Revolution under George Washington's directions, and for this
reason my mother was selected by Commodore Barney and General
Stricker to make this star-spangled banner, being in exceedingly
patriotic woman. This flag, I think, contained four hundred
yards of bunting, and my mother worked many nights until twelve
o'clock to complete it in a given time.
|
1876
U.S. Flag
History |
Ceremonial |
The
Centennial Flag of 1876 was an unofficial patriotic version of
the Stars and Stripes, representing a nation with new hope. |
1876
Flag House |
|
A German immigrant family,
Mund, lived in the Betsy Ross House at the beginning of the 19th
century runing various businesses such as a tailor's shop, a
cigar shop and a tavern. By the time of the Centennial
celebrations the house was well known as the place where Betsy
Ross sewed the first American Flag. Several of Betsy's surviving
family, daughters, grandchildren, and a niece had corroborated
the location of the historical event. An advertisement for the
Mund Tavern read, "Original Flag House, Lager, Wine and Liquors.
This is the house where the first United States flag was made by
Mrs. John Ross." |
1877
U.S.
Flag |
38 Stars |
The 38-star
flag debuts on July 4, 1877, after the admission of
Colorado on August 1, 1876. |
1877
U.S.
Flag |
38 Stars |
Prior to
1912 the arrangement of the stars were not fixed allowing
various designs being official at the same time. |
1877
Union
Jack |
 |
One more
state is added, the Union Jack has 38 stars flying, as of July
4th, 1877. |
1882
Presidential
flag |
 |
The first
fFlag specified for the President was introduced by the Navy by
General Order 300 of August 9, 1882. Blue with the U.S. Coat of
Arms in the center; the eagle was in white and the shield in
color with an arc of 13 white stars above and across the wing
tips. |
1885
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
The concept of a
day to celebrate the flag is thought to have originated with BJ
Cigrand, a schoolteacher who arranged for students in the
Fredonia,
Wisconsin School District to observe June 14 as a flag
birthday. June 14, 1885 is the 108th anniversary of the adoption
of the Stars and Stripes. Over the next several years Cigrand
continues to advocate the observance in magazines and newspapers
and public addresses. |
1886
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
Captain
William Driver who held and named the flag that was presented to
him in 1831, Old Glory, died in 1886. Prior to his death he gave
"Old Glory" to his daughter and said, "Mary Jane, this is my
ship flag, Old Glory. It has been my constant companion. I love
it as a mother loves her child. Cherish it as I have cherished
it." Captain William Driver was buried in the historic Nashville
Cemetery. His marker, an anchor leaned against a vine covered
tree, was his own design. His grave site is one of the places
where our "Old Glory" may be flown day and night. |
1889
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
A New York
kindergarten teacher, George Balch, organized ceremonies for the
children of his school. His Flag Day was later adopted by
New York's State Board of Education. |
1889
Flag House |
|
A group of
citizens formed the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial
Association in 1889 to raise money to buy the Betsy Ross House
to prevent destruction by development. Lifetime memberships
would sell for 10¢ and various membership plans would be
developed. |
1890
U.S.
Flag |
43 Stars |
Flag
with 43 stars is born, adding one more star for each of five new states; North
Dakota, November 2, 1889;
South
Dakota,
November 2, 1889;
Montana,
November 8, 1889;
Washington,
November 11, 1889 and
Idaho,
July 3, 1890. |
1890
Union
Jack |
 |
Five more
states are added in 1889 & 1890, bringing the stars on the Union
Jack to 43 stars flying, as of July 4th, 1890. |
1891
U.S.
Flag |
44 Stars |
One star
for the admission of
Wyoming, on
July 10, 1890 gave us the 44-star
flag. |
1891
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
The Betsy Ross
House in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania held a Flag Day celebration on June 14,
1891. |
1891
Union
Jack |
 |
1891 brings
one more star to the Union Jack. 44 stars flying, as of July
4th, 1891. |
1892
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
New York Society
of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day on June 14,
1892. |
1892
Pledge |
Pledge of Allegiance |
The "Pledge
of Allegiance" is
written by Francis Bellamy and first
published in "The Youth's Companion," The words,
"under God" were added later, on June 14, 1954. |
1892
Flag House |
|
In 1892 Charles Weisgerber
painted the Birth of Our Nation's Flag, a painting of Betsy Ross
presenting her newly constructed flag to George Washington.
Weisberger was a founding member of the American Flag House and
Betsy Ross Memorial Association. Copies of the painting would be
used for fund-raising to purchase the Betsy Ross House. |
1892
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance |
The reciting of
the "Pledge
of Allegiance"
is born when
published in The Youth's Companion magazine, with suggested
words (entry
above) for students to repeat on the
next Columbus Day.
Original (1892)
Version of the "Pledge of Allegiance"
- 1923
- 1954
I Pledge Allegiance to my flag
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
|
1892
Military |
Assistant Secretary
of the Navy |
Colors of
the Assistant Secretary of the Navy is reversed from that of the
Secretary's flag. Created in 1892 the reversing of the colors
has become the standard for the first and second ranking
civilian officials in the U.S. Government. The Under
Secretary rank was not created until 1940. As of 2009 there are
four Assistant Secretaries below the Under Secretary. |
1893
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
At the
suggestion of Colonel J Granville Leach, historian of the
Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution, the Pennsylvania Society
of Colonial Dames of America on April 25, 1893 adopts a
resolution requesting the mayor of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; others in
authority; and private citizens to display the Flag on June 14th. |
1893
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
Colonel J
Granville Leach, historian of the Pennsylvania Society of the
Sons of the Revolution, recommends that every June 14th be known
as 'Flag Day'. He further suggests that on that day, school
children be assembled for appropriate exercises, giving each
child a small Flag. |
1893
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
On May 8th, the
Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the
Revolution unanimously endorsed the Flag resolution of the
Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames. |
1893
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
Dr. Edward Brooks,
Superintendent of Philadelphia Public Schools, directs that Flag
Day exercises be held June 14, in Independence Square. Students
were assembled, each carrying a small Flag, patriotic songs were
sung and speeches delivered. |
1894
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
New York's
governor issues a directive that on June 14 the Flag is to be
displayed on all public buildings. |
1894
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
The American Flag
Day Association is organized to promote Flag Day and the holding
of appropriate exercises. |
1894
U.S. Flag
History |
Flag Day |
Under the auspices
of the American Flag Day Association, the first general public
school children's celebration of Flag Day is held in
Chicago,
Illinois. More than 300,000 children participated in
ceremonies at Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and
Washington Parks on June 14th. |
1896
U.S.
Flag |
45 Stars |
Utah's admission
to the Union, on January 4, 1896, adds another star to the Flag for a
total of 45 stars. |
1896
Music |
Marches |
John Philip Sousa,
the King of March, gains the inspiration to write "The
Stars and Stripes Forever" while on a return voyage
from a European vacation with his wife. - 1854 - 1897
- 1932 |
1896
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1896, 45 stars fly on the Union Jack.. |
1897
Music |
Marches |
On May 14 the
"Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Phillip Sousa was
performed for the first time in Philadelphia. - 1854
- 1896 - 1932 |
1897
legislation |
flag
desecration |
Public
perception of flag misuse in commerce and politics during the
late 1800's led to a flag protection movement. After
failing to obtain federal legislation the movement turned to the
individual states for flag protection. Illinois, Pennsylvania,
and South Dakota became the first States to adopt flag
desecration statutes. by 1932 all States will have adopted flag
desecration legislation. |
1892
Flag House |
|
In 1898 Charles Weisgerber
moved his family into the Betsy Ross house and opened two rooms
to the public. The living room was a souvenir shop for
raising funds. The room at the back of the house, where Betsy
and the Flag committee met, was available for viewing. |
1898
Presidential
flag |
 |
The Army
used it own design for a Presidential flag as well as a
presidential color. Both were introduced by a War Department
general order in 1898. Each had the U.S. coat of arms within a
dark blue star bordered in white with by 45 stars, 47 after
1907, in a scattered circle around it, and four stars in the
corners. The flag was larger, constructed from bunting and was
flown from a fixed pole. The color was made of silk; was gold
trimmed with a silver bullion fringe, a red, white, and blue
cord and tassels; and was mounted on a pike with a gold spread
eagle on top. |
1899
Presidential
flag |
|
Without
changing the official description the President's Navy Standard
the flags changed to having the U.S. coat of arms in full color
on printed representations. The change to color happened
sometime between 1885 and 1899. |
|
1900s |
1901
Presidential
flag |
|
The Army
follows orders to adopt the colorful design for the President's
Flag in 1901, for particular use, as it was shown in the Flag of
Maritime Nations,published in 1899. The President's Flag was
also lengthened to a new proportion. (10.2 feet x 16 feet) |
1901
Presidential
flag |
|
President Theodore
Roosevelt, in 1901 directed that the Navy version serve as
the only flag of the President. The Army adopted the Navy
design for the flag but kept the design from 1898 for the color. |
1907
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled Banner flag |
The
Star-Spangled Banner Flag
had been
kept in the possession of the Armistead family until it was
loaned to the Smithsonian for an official display in 1907. |
1907
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Descretion |
The U.S.
Supreme Court held up the States' rights to enact flag
desecration laws under general police power to safeguard public
safety and welfare, even though the flag was a federal creation.
Halter v. Nebraska, 205 U.S. 34 (1st Amendment Rights were not
brought into question in this case.) |
1908
U.S.
Flag |
46 Stars |
The 46-star Flag
is adopted including one star for the 46th state of
Oklahoma,
November 16, 1907. |
1908
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1908 the Union Jack with 46 stars is hoisted. |
1909
U.S. Flag
History |
Expedition |
Robert
Peary's wife sews the Flag he places at the North Pole. |
1912
U.S.
Flag |
48 Stars |
The addition of two new states,
New
Mexico, January 6, 1912 and
Arizona,
February 14, 1912, brings the total of states to 48, An
official arrangement of the stars in the blue union is set with
the 48-star
Flag. The stars are displayed as 6 rows of 8 stars.
The 48-star flag had the longest period of any fixed star flag,
from 1912 to 1960 until the 50-star flag matched it's use in
years, in 2008. |
1912
U.S. Flag
History |
Design
Rules |
On June 24, 1912
President Taft by Executive Order established proportional attributes
for the American Flag. The star arrangement is set to be
in 6 horizontal rows of 8 stars requiring that 1 point of each
to be upward. Previously
there was not a particular design as long as the stars equaled the
number specified. |
1912
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled Banner flag |
The Star-Spangled Banner
Flag, commissioned
by Major
George Armistead in 1814
is given to the Smithsonian Institution, by the Armistead family
on December 19, 1912. It is now on exhibit at the National Museum of American
History. |
1912
President |
|
In
1912 President Taft by
Executive Order 1556 directed the
"the color of the field of the
President's Flag shall be blue." |
1912
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1912 two more stars fly. The Union Jack with 48 stars will
fly longer than any other. |
1914
Flag Day |
Flag Day |
Franklin K. Lane,
Secretary of the Interior, delivered a Flag Day address saying
the Flag spoke to him that morning: "I am what you make me;
nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of
color, a symbol of yourself." |
1914
U.S. Flag
History |
Star Spangled Banner flag |
The Star
Spangled Banner Flag bore the autograph of Lt. Col. George
Armistead and the date of the British bombardment of 1814. In
1914 Preservation work is performed by Mrs. Amelia Fowler and
other restoration experts. Reduced in size the reinforcement
techniques has kept it preserved for American prosperity. |
1916
Flag Day |
Flag Day |
After 30 years of
state and local celebrations, President Woodrow
Wilson, by Proclamation establishes Flag Day, the anniversary of
the 1777 Flag Resolution, June 14th, 1777. |
1916
Presidential
flag |
 |
President Wilson by
Executive Order 2390 decreed a single design for the President's
Flag in both services to be Blue with the Coat of Arms from the
Presidential seal with a white star in each corner. The eagle
looked toward the fly rather then to the hoist as in the
national coat of arms.
A smaller size was used by the Army for the color. |
1918
Service
Flags |
|
President Woodrow
Wilson approved a suggestion by the Women's Committee of the
Council of National Defenses that mothers who lost a son in the
war would wear a gold star on the traditional Black mourning arm
band leading to the traditional covering of the Service flag's
blue star with a gold star to signify a service member of the
family has died. A blue star is for hope and pride while a gold
star is for the sacrifice in the cause of liberty and freedom. |
1922
U.S. Flag
History |
Old Glory! |
Captain
William Driver's "Old Glory" was presented to President William
G Harding by Driver's daughter Mary Jane, in 1922. It was
then sent to the Smithsonian Institute and is now preserved
under glass. |
| 1923 |
Flag Day |
President Woodrow
Wilson proclaims a day of national celebration calling it Flag
Day. |
1923
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
Original Version
|
The first National
Flag Conference is held in Washington
D.C., on June14. It
was resolved that for clarity, the words "the Flag of the
United States" replace "my flag" in the Pledge of
Allegiance. All other subsequent suggested changes were never
formally adopted. I Pledge Allegiance to
my flag
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all. |
1923
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
2nd Version
|
2nd Version of the
"Pledge of Allegiance" - 1892
- 1954
I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the
United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. |
1925
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Golden Fringe |
The Attorney General had
said the use of fringe and the number of stars "...is at the
discretion of the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy..." -
quoting from footnotes in prior volumes of Title 4 of the United
States Code law books. From that source some claim a fringed
flag is a military ensign rather than civilian, however, the
Army Institute of Heraldry, the custodian of the flag designs
say there is no inference of symbolism in the use of the Fringe.
Several court cases have upheld that conclusion. - McCann v.
Greenway, 542 F. Supp. 647 |
1927
Legislation |
Proclaim |
The U.S. Congress issues a
resolution that requests
President Calvin Coolidge to issue a proclamation that the
U.S. Flag is to be displayed on all
government buildings on November 11th and invite the people to
observe Armistice Day in Schools and Churches. Armistice Day
will become Veteran's Day. |
1931
Music |
Anthem |
"The
Star-Spangled Banner", words by Francis Scott Key, officially becomes the national anthem.
Key's poem was placed to the tune of "Anacreon in Heaven". |
1931
U.S. Flag
History |
Court |
The U.S.
Supreme Court ruled State statutes that prohibit display of a
"red flag," protesting government, are unconstitutional,
infringing upon the protestor's 1st Amendment rights.
Stromberg v. California, 283 U.S. 359 This is the court's first
ruling that "symbolic speech" is free speech protected by the
1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. |
1932
Music |
Marches |
At 77 years of
age, John Philip Sousa
dies after a rehearsal where he conducted his last piece,
"The Stars and Stripes Forever", for the Ringgold Band
in Reading,
Pennsylvania.
- 1854
- 1896 - 1897 |
1837
Flag House |
|
The Betsy Ross House
showing much wear and tear needed restoration. Radio Mogul, A.
Atwater Kent donated $25,000 to purchase and restore the house.
The architect commissioned for the restoration was Richardson
Brognard Okie. Original materials were used when possible,
otherwise they were obtained from demolished homes of the same
period. After completion of the restoration all eight rooms were
opened to the public on Flag Day, June 14, 1937. |
1941
Flag House |
|
Atwater
Kent had purchased the two properties to the west of the Betsy
Ross House for a "civic garden."
Kent, a Philadelphia citizen donated the properties and the the home of Betsy
Ross, known as the American Flag House, to the city of
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
|
1942
Pledge
legislation |
|
The Pledge
of Allegiance is officially recognized by the U. S. Congress in
1942.
|
1942
U.S. Flag
History
legislation |
|
President
Roosevelt signs into law Federal Flag Code, 36 U.S.C. 171 et
seq. on June 22, 1942. The code provides for uniform guidelines
for display and respect of the American Flag. Intended as a
guide for civilian voluntary compliance, it holds no enforcement
provisions nor penalties. |
1942
Service
flags |
|
During
World War II displaying the service flags became more popular.
In 1942, the Blue Star Mothers of America was founded as a
veteran service organization becoming a part of the events that
provided care packages to military members serving overseas. |
1943
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
Court
|
The Supreme Court
rules that school children can not be forced to recite the
Pledge of Allegiance. Laws that encourage the recitation
of the Pledge of Allegiance in the classroom exist in only half
of the States.
Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not
matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The
test of its substance is the right to differ as to things
that touch the heart of the existing order. If there is any
fixed star in our constitutional constellation it is that no
official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be
orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters
of opinion.
- Justice Jackson, West Virginia Board of Education v.
Barnette, 319 U.S. 624
|
1943
Military |
Under Secretary
of the Navy |
The
position of Under Secretary of the Navy was created in 1940 as
the new second in command position. Established in 1943, the
personal flag for the Under Secretary was the same as the
Secretary's flag but with a red field. James V. Forrestal was
the first to the Flag of the Under Secretary of the Navy. |
1945
Presidential
flag |
|
President
Franklin D. Roosevelt inquired of the War and Navy Department
whether his flag was still appropriate after the recent creation
of five-star generals and admirals. Although the fours stars on
the President's flag was decorative without designating rank a
revision was ordered anyway. President Truman issued Executive
Order 9646 making changes to the coat of arms as well. The new
flag was first hoisted on October 27, 1945 when President Truman
boarded the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt to
witness a fleet review in New York City. With only increases of
stars as new states were added the President's flag is still in
use today |
1945
U.S. Flag
History |
Pearl Harbor |
A flag that
had flown over Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 flew again,
but over the White House on the day the Japanese accepted the
terms of surrender, August 14, 1945. That same flag would be
present at the Charter Meeting of the United Nations. |
1948
U.S.
Flag |
Rules |
Presidential
Proclamation No.2795, July 2, authorizes that the United States
Flag may be flown 24 hours a day at the Fort McHenry National
Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore,
Maryland.
|
1948
Vice President |
 |
In 1948,
President Truman, by executive order, mandated the creation of a
Vice Presidential Seal and Flag. All Vice Presidents did
not like the design being smaller with the eagle wings in a
submissive position. Vice President Humphrey is believed to have
said,"the eagle looked like a wounded quail. |
1949
Flag Day |
Flag Day |
It was established
by Congress, and signed by President Truman on August 3, 1949, that each year a National Flag Day is to be proclaimed,
by the President, to be observed on
June 14. (63 Stat. 492),
|
1954
U.S.
Flag |
Rules |
Public Law 83-319, March 26
authorizes that the United States Flag may be flown 24 hours a
day at the Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets,
Baltimore
Maryland. |
1954
Pledge
legislation |
|
Congress enacts that the words "under God"
be added to the "Pledge of Allegiance." President
Dwight D. Eisenhower said "In this way we are reaffirming
the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and
future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those
spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most
powerful resource in peace and war." |
1954
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
Current Version
|
Today's Version of the
"Pledge of Allegiance" - 1892
- 1923
I Pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America and to the Republic
for which it stands, one Nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
|
1958
U.S. Flag
History |
Stars
Exhibit |
With talk of
Alaska and
Hawaii
becoming states Robert Heft designed the arrangement of the
current 50 Star Flag as a school project. 45 years later
it is his hope that should a 51st state be admitted that his 51
star design be adopted. The first 50-star Flag, constructed by
Heft, has flown over
every state capital building and over 88 U.S. embassies with a
patch to evidence the attack on the embassy in Saigon in 1967.
It also is the only flag to have flown over the Whitehouse
during the terms of five different Presidents. |
1959
U.S.
Flag |
49 Stars |
The admission of
Alaska
to the Union on January 3, 1959, facilitates the 49-star Flag. |
1959
U.S. Flag
History |
Design |
President Eisenhower, on
January 3, 1959 by Executive Order, provides that the stars be
arranged in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered
horizontally and vertically.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th rows of stars are indented. |
1959
U.S.
Flag |
|
Hawaii becomes the 50th state
on August 21, 1959, requiring the addition of the 50th star. |
1959
U.S. Flag
History |
Design |
President
Dwight D. Eisenhower, on August
21, 1959 by Executive Order, provides that the 50-star flag will be arranged
in nine rows staggered horizontally and eleven columns of stars
staggered vertically. The nine rows alternate with 6 and 5 stars with the row of 5 stars
indented. |
1959
Union
Jack |
 |
On July
4th, 1959 after 47 years one more star is added. 49 stars fly on
the Union Jack. |
1960
U.S.
Flag |
50 Stars |
On July 4th the 50-star flag makes
its debut in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. A 50th star was added to the American
flag in honor of
Hawaii's
August 21, 1959 admission into the Union. |
1960
Union
Jack |
 |
One more
star is added. 50 stars fly on the Union Jack from July 4th,
1960 until October 12, 1975. |
1961
U.S. Flag
History |
Rules |
Presidential Proclamation
No.3418, June 12, authorizes that the United States Flag may be
flown 24 hours a day at the United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo
Jima) in Arlington,
Virginia. |
|
1963 |
Expedition |
Barry Bishop planted the
American Flag upon the success as the first American to ascend to the top of Mount
Everest in 1963. |
1964
Military |
Chief of Naval Operations |
The CNO,
Chief of Naval Operations rank was created in 1915 but the flag
for the position was not established until 1964. The Flag
follows the same basic patter as the flag for the Chief of Staff
of the Army. The Chief of Naval Operations is a four-star
Admiral. |
1964
Military |
Vice Chief
of Naval Operations |
The Vice
Chief of Naval Operations is also a four-star Admiral. His flag
is like that of the Chief except with four sections divided
diagonally. |
1965
U.S.
Flag |
Rules |
Public Law 89-335, approved
November 8, authorizes
that the United States Flag may be flown 24 hours a day at the
On the Green of the Town of Lexington,
Massachusetts. |
1965
Flag House |
|
An annex building was
constructed on the property of the Betsy Ross House in 1965. |
1966
Flag Week
legislation |
|
A joint resolution of Congress on June 9th, 1966, requests the
president declare the week June, 14th, as National Flag Week.
The proclamation is to call upon American Citizens to display
the flag during the week. (80 Stat. 194) |
1968
legislation |
|
A flag burning incident
in New York's Central Park
that protested the Vietnam War
prompted federal law to make illegal to willfully cast contempt
onto "any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating,
defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it." |
1969
U.S. Flag
History |
Expedition |
Neil Armstrong plants the
American Flag
on the moon on July 20th, 1969. |
1969
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Desecration |
A ruling by the Supreme
Court restrains New York from
convicting a person based upon verbal remarks against the flag.
Mr. Street was arrested, after civil rights leader James
Meredith had been killed, when he burned the flag, stating that
"we don't need no damn flag," if the government could allow
Meredith to be killed. The court ignored the flag burning and
ruled only that the government did not have sufficient interest
to regulate verbal assault against the flag. - Street v.
New York, 394 U.S. 576 |
1970
U.S.
Flag |
Rules |
Presidential Proclamation
No.4000, September 4, authorizes
that the United States Flag may be flown 24 hours a day at the The
White House, Washington, D.C.. |
1970 -
1980
legislation |
|
Some 20 states enact
laws to focus on physical mutilation rather than commercial,
political, verbal abuse and to more align with the federal law,
in their flag desecration legislation. |
1971
U.S. Flag
History |
Rules |
Presidential Proclamation
No.4064, July 6, authorizes that the United States Flag may be
flown 24 hours a day at the Washington Monument, Washington,
D.C.. |
1971
POW/MIA |
 |
Mrs. Mary
Hoff, an MIA wife and member of the National League of American
Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, recognized the need for
a flag symbol to honor POW/MIAs. She contacted Norman Rivkees,
Vice-President of Annin & Company who helped design and put
into production the POW/MIA flag. |
1972
U.S.
Flag |
Rules |
Presidential Proclamation
No.4131, May 5, authorizes
that the United States Flag may be flown 24 hours a day at
United States Customs Ports of Entry. |
1972
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Desecration |
A
Massachusetts law was held unconstitutional as "void for
vagueness." Massachusetts had passed a law criminalizing
publicly treating the flag of the United States with contempt.
The case was prompted by the wearing of a cloth replica of the
flag on the seat of a person's pants. - Smith v. Goguen, 415
U.S. 94 |
1974
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Desecration |
Removable tape was
placed upon a flag in the form of a peace sign and the flag
displayed outside of Spense's window to protest the invasion of
Cambodia and the Kent State deaths. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled
that not enough governmental interest existed to justify the
regulating of symbolic speech. - Spence v. Washington, 418 U.S.
405 Language in the briefs made, for the first time, the Court
clearly stating that use of the flag in protest should be
considered as protected expression under the 1st Amendment. |
1974
Vice President |
|
In 1974,
President Gerald Ford appointed Nelson Rockefeller to the vice
presidency who had the Vice presidential seal and flag
redesigned. |
1974
Flag House |
|
The courtyard of the Betsy
Ross House was renovated with the addition of a fountain in
1974. |
1975
legislation |
|
Public Law 94-53, approved July
4, authorizes that the
United States Flag may be flown 24 hours a day at the Grounds of
the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley
Forge,
Pennsylvania. |
1975
Union Jack |
|
In Honor of the
bicentennial for the Navy and American Independence the
traditional version of the First Navy Jack becomes the official
Jack from October 12, 1975 to December 31st, 1976. |
1976
Bicentennial |
|
The flag that was
mistaken for the first Navy Jack was used in many bi-centennial
celebrations in 1976. |
1976
Bicentennial |
ceremonial |
Marking 200 years of
liberty the Bicentennial Flag is used throughout America in
celebrations. |
1976
Flag House |
|
In 1976, during the
Bicentennial year, the remains of Betsy Ross and her third
husband, John Claypoole were moved from Mount Moriah cemetery in
Yeadon, Pennsylvania and placed to rest in the garden west of
the Betsy Ross House courtyard. |
1977
Union Jack |
Don't Tread
On Me |
The oldest active duty
warship, the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63 begins to fly the mistaken
First Navy Jack in 1977 instead of the 50-star Union Jack. |
1977
Union
Jack |
|
The 50-star
Union Jack fly is back on duty after the bicentennial year. It
is hoisted again on January 1, 1977 and will fly until September
11, 2002. |
1980
Union Jack |
|
In 1980 came the orders
that the oldest active duty ship in the navy shall instead fly
the traditional version of the First Navy Jack. |
1982
Flag Day |
Proclamation |
President Ronald Reagan
declares Flag Day and Flag Week for 1982.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United
States of America, do hereby designate June 14, 1982, as Flag
Day and the week beginning June 13, 1982, as National Flag Week,
and I direct the appropriate officials of the Government to
display the flag on all Government buildings during that week. I
urge all Americans to observe Flag Day, June 14, and Flag Week
by flying the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other
suitable places.
I also urge the American people to celebrate those days from
Flag Day through Independence Day, set aside by Congress as a
time to honor America, by having public gatherings and
activities at which they can honor their country in an
appropriate manner.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th. day of
May in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-two, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and sixth.
-
President Ronald Reagan
|
1982
POW/MIA |
 |
The official National
League of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia flag
flies over the White House on National POW / MIA Recognition Day
for the first time creating a yearly tradition. |
1986
Flag Day
Flag Week
1986
Flag Day
Flag Week
1986
Flag Day
Flag Week
1986
Flag Day
Flag Week |
Proclamation
Proclamation
Proclamation
Proclamation |
President Ronald Reagan
declares Flag Day and Flag Week for 1986.
Proclamation 5476 -- Flag Day and National Flag Week, 1986
- May 12, 1986
By the President of the United States of America,
A Proclamation
Over two hundred years ago, in June 1775, the first
distinctive American flags were flown over the colonial
defenses during the Battle of Bunker Hill. One flag was an
adaptation of the British Blue Ensign, while the other
displayed the pine tree, a symbol of the experience of
Americans who had wrested their land from the wilderness.
As the colonials moved toward a final separation from Great
Britain, other flags appeared. At least two of them featured
a rattlesnake, symbolizing vigilance and deadly striking
power. One bore the legend ``Liberty or Death''; the other,
``Don't Tread on Me.'' The Grand Union Flag was raised over
Washington's Continental Army Headquarters on January 1,
1776. It displayed not only the British crosses of St.
Andrew and St. George, but also thirteen red and white
stripes to symbolize the American colonies. The Bennington
flag also appeared in 1776, with thirteen stars, thirteen
stripes, and the number ``76.''
Two years after the Battle of Bunker Hill, on June 14, 1777,
the Continental Congress adopted a flag that expressed
clearly the unity and resolve of the patriots who had banded
together in the cause of independence. The delegates voted
``that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen
stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen
stars, white in a blue field representing a new
constellation.''
After more than two centuries, with the addition of
thirty-seven stars, each representing one of our 50 States,
the flag chosen by the Continental Congress on that June day
in Philadelphia still waves over our Nation. This flag
symbolizes our shared commitment to freedom and federalism
and carries a message of hope to the afflicted, of
opportunity to the oppressed, and of peace to all humanity.
To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by a
joint resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492),
designated June 14 of each year as Flag Day and requested
the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for
its observance and for the display of the Flag of the United
States on all government buildings. The Congress also
requested the President, by joint resolution approved June
9, 1966 (80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation
designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National
Flag Week and calling upon all citizens of the United States
to display the flag during that week.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United
States of America, do hereby designate June 14, 1986, as
Flag Day and the week beginning June 8, 1986, as National
Flag Week, and I direct the appropriate officials of the
government to display the Flag of the United States on all
government buildings during that week. I urge all Americans
to observe Flag Day, June 14, and Flag Week by flying the
Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable
places.
I also urge the American people to celebrate those days from
Flag Day through Independence Day, set aside by Congress as
a time to honor America (89 Stat. 211), by having public
gatherings and activities at which they can honor their
country in an appropriate manner, especially by ceremonies
in which all renew their dedication by publicly reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of
America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation,
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth
day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and
eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and tenth.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 10:22 a.m.,
May 13, 1986]
|
1986
U.S. Flag
History
1986
U.S. Flag
History |
Proclamation
Year of the Flag
200th Anniversary
first Call
Constitutional
Convention
Rededication
Statue of Liberty
Proclamation
Year of the Flag
200th Anniversary
first Call
Constitutional
Convention
Rededication
Statue of Liberty |
President Ronald Reagan
declares 1986 as Year of the Flag.
Proclamation 5475 -- Year of the Flag
- May 12, 1986
By the President of the United States of America, A Proclamation
There is no greater, more beautiful, and instantly recognizable
symbol of our Nation and its ideals, traditions, and values than
the flag of the United States. The thirteen stripes of red and
white remind us of the courage and steadfastness of those who
pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to
found this great experiment in republican government. The white
stars on a field of blue stand for the 13 original colonies that
formed the nucleus of the new Nation and the 37 states that have
become part of our Nation since then. Those many stars recall
the saga of our growth as we spanned a continent. The colors of
our flag signify the qualities of the human spirit we Americans
cherish: red for courage and readiness to sacrifice; white for
pure intentions and high ideals; and blue for vigilance and
justice. In recent years, citizen awareness, interest, and
appreciation of the flag and its relationship to our American
heritage have increased. More American families and businesses
are buying and displaying the flag.
Nineteen eighty-six marks the 200th anniversary of the first
call for a Federal constitutional convention and the year of
rededication of the Statue of Liberty, another mighty symbol of
what America means. Let it also be the year we as a people
commemorate our flag as the proud banner that the winds of
freedom lovingly caress, for which generations of patriots have
fought and died -- the sign and symbol of a people ruled by a
constitution that protects all and enshrines our hopes and our
history.
The Congress, by House Joint Resolution 424, has designated 1986
as the ``Year of the Flag'' and authorized and requested the
President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim 1986 the Year of the Flag. To
heighten citizen awareness of our flag, I urge all Americans to
renew their appreciation of the flag and its relationship to our
heritage, through appropriate celebrations honoring the flag.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day
of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and tenth.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office
of the Federal Register, 10:21 a.m., May 13, 1986] |
1989
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Desecration |
The Supreme Court upheld
the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that the Texas law
criminalizing the desecration or other mistreatment of the flag
when the "actor knows will seriously offend one or more persons"
as unconstitutional as it was applied. This is the first where
the Supreme Court directly addressed the 1st Amendment in
relation to flag burning.
- Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397
Revolutionary Communist Party member, Gregory Johnson set fire
to an American Flag, outside the 1984 Republican National
Convention in Dallas, while protestors chanted "America, the
red, white, and blue, we spit on you." |
1989
POW/MIA |
|
The same POW / MIA flag
that flew over the White House in 1988, is installed on March 9,
1989 in the U.S. Capital Rotunda. Bipartisanship of the 100th
Congress overwhelmingly passed the legislation and both
leaderships hosted the ceremony. The only flag ever displayed in
the U.S. Rotunda, the POW / MIA flag, will stand as a symbol of
national committment for the fullest possible accounting of
missing and unaccounted for personnel from the
Vietnam War. |
1989
legislation |
|
In the Flag Protection
Act of 1989, Congress amends the 1969 federal flag desecration
statute. The intent was to make it "content neutral" and not
contingent upon a third party's perception. |
1990
U.S. Flag
History |
Court
Desecration |
The Supreme Court
overturned several cases where flag-burning convictions were
obtained under the Flag Protection Act of 1898. The court ruled
that the law still aimed at limiting symbolic speech. -
United States v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 |
1990
Legislation |
Desecration |
Failing to obtain
two-third majority in both houses a Constitutional Amendment to
give Congress and the States the power to prohibit flag
desecration, dies on the floor of both houses. |
1990
POW/MIA |
|
On August 10, 1990, the
101st Congress Recognized the POW / MIA flag, designating it
:
"as the
symbol of our Nation's concern and commitment to resolving as
fully as possible the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing
and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia, thus ending the
uncertainty for their families and the Nation".
|
1993
Union Jack |
|
The USS John Paul Jones
(DDG-53), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is
commissioned on December 18th, 1993. The First Navy Jack
and the Serapis flag are flown on the USS John Paul Jones
(DDG-53).
See - 1779 -
2000 |
1995
legislation |
|
Attempts to make criminal the
burning of the American Flag by Constitutional Amendment is
defeated in the Senate by a narrow margin. Burning the flag
would have been subject to a penalty. |
1995
Flag House |
|
Historic Philadelphia,
Inc., a private nonprofit oganization, began leasing and
managing the Betsy Ross House from the City of Philadelphia in
1995. The Betsy Ross House is furnished in antiques of the
period that the descendents said Betsy lived in the home,
reproductions, objects that actually belonged to Betsy Ross and
her family. 7 rooms are open to the public which includes the
only display in the country of an 18th century upholstery shop.
Highlights of the exhibit include Betsy's walnut chest-on-chest,
Chippendale and Sheraton sidechairs, her eyeglasses, her quilted
petticoat and her Bible.
|
1990
POW/MIA |
|
In the first session,
the 105th Congress as part of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act
deems the POW/MIA flag will fly with the American Flag each year
on :
"Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day,
National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day on the
grounds or in the public lobbies of major military
installations as designated by the Secretary of the Defense,
all Federal national cemeteries, the national Korean War
Veterans Memorial, the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
the White House, the United States Postal Service post
offices and at the official offices of the Secretaries of
State, Defense and Veteran's Affairs, and Director of the
Selective Service System."
|
1998
Legislation |
Honor |
Honor America Days is
declared becoming law in August 12th, 1998. (Pub. L. 105-225,
Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1257.) |
|
2000s |
2000
USPS |
 |
Our Old Glory was
honored by the U.S. Postal Service when, on June 14, 2000, a 33¢
U.S. postage stamp pane of 20 differing historical American
flags was issued. The Stars and Stripes Postage Stamps are a
part of the Classic Collection that had begun in 1994.
|
2001
USPS |
Honor Veterans |
In May 2001 the U.S.
Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp "Honoring Veterans"
was issued, featuring the American flag against a blue sky. This
stamp honors all who have served in the armed forces.
"Continuing in Service." |
2001
9-11-01 |
America
Attacked |
Terrorists hijack airliners and
fly them into the New York Trade Towers and the Pentagon in
Washington D.C. on September 11.
One flag emerges as a tattered survivor to remind us of those
lost that day. During the after math firefighters are
immortalized in a photograph as they erect a flag. The image
will mark the tradgedy as the "Soldiers raising the flag in
Iwo-Jima" photograph memorializes World War II.
See
- PoetPatriot's 9-11 Tribute |
2001
9-11-01 |
Half-Staff |
President Bush orders the Flag to be
flown at half-staff in mourning for the over 3000 citizens and
rescuers who were killed that day. See
- PoetPatriot's 9-11 Tribute |
2001
9-11-01
9-22-01 |
 |
The Ground Zero Flag was
displayed on September 22nd 2001 at a site of a triage center at
the Brooks Brothers Building on Liberty Street. The Ground Zero
Flag hung for the first three months after the 9-11-01 Attacks
and has been displayed every September remembering those lost as
well as those involved with the rescues. |
2002
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
Court |
The required reciting in public
schools of the Pledge of Allegiance is declared unconstitutional by
a federal appeals court because of the words "under
God," inserted by Congress in 1954. |
2002
9-11-01
USPS |
 |
Six months after the
attacks on the Trade Center and the Pentagon a commemorative
stamp is unveiled on March 11, 2002. The Flag hosts the famous
picture of Firefighters erecting an American Flag at the site of
the collapsed towers. |
2002
USPS |
|
Coils of 100 stamps with
a waving flag begins shipment on April 29, 2002. |
2002
U.S. Flag
History |
Display |
Bodger Seeds, in tribute
to those lost in the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in Lompoc,
California, plants its
first floral Flag in 50 years. There have been only three
previous Floral Flags by Bodger Seeds. The Bodger Flag was
in full bloom on July 4, 2002.
The 2002 Bodger Floral Flag is
6.65 acres; 740 feet long and 390 feet wide, maintaining the
proper Flag dimensions as described in Executive Order #10834 -
Pictures |
2002
Union Jack |
9-11-01 |
The Secretary of the Navy, Gordon
R. England, orders the "mistaken" First Navy Jack to be flown on all U.S.
Navy ships for the duration of the War on Terrorism. The
"traditional" first navy Jack
consisted of 13 alternating red and white stripes bearing
diagonally across them a rattlesnake in the slithering position
with the motto "Don't Tread On Me." Orders were made
on May 31, 2002; most navy ships began compliance on the first
anniversary of the attacks, September 11, 2002. |
2003
9-11-01 |
Half-Staff |
George W. Bush, by proclamation
orders the Flag half-staff on Patriot Day, September 11, in honor
of those killed in the towers and at the Pentagon on September
11, 2001. - 2001 |
2003
Flag Day
Flag Week |
Proclamation |
President George W. Bush
declares Flag Day and Flag Week for 2003.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2003, as Flag Day
and the week beginning June 8, 2003, as National Flag Week. I
direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all
Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all
Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying
the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable
places. I also call upon the people of the United States to
observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day
through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89
Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our
heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly
recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
- President George W. Bush
|
2003
USPS |
 |
The Old Glory Prestige
Booklet issue was released at the New York Stamp Show on April
3rd, 2003. Five commemorative stamps of symbolic
patriotism; Uncle Sam on a large-front wheel bicycle; Flag on a
fan; Fag as a medal; Lady doll in red, white, and blue holding a
flag; and a poster of "The Star Spangled Banner". The 37¢ stamps
were in a sheet of 20, accompanied by a souvenir booklet taking
a look at how our country's story is told by the Stars and
Stripes. |
| 2003 |
9-11-01 |
September 11 is designated to
be "Patriot Day" by Congress. -Public Law
107-89 - 2003 |
2004
Flag Day
Flag Week |
Proclamation |
President George W. Bush
declares Flag Day and Flag Week for 2004.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2004, as Flag Day
and the week beginning June 13, 2004, as National Flag Week. I
direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all
Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all
Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying
the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable
places. I also call upon the people of the United States to
observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day
through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress, as a
time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public
gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-eighth.
- President George W. Bush
|
2004
Pledge |
Pledge of
Allegiance
Court |
The Supreme Court declines to
hear a case brought by Michael Newdow, challenging the Pledge of
Allegiance phrase, "One Nation under God." Jay Sekulow,
of the American Center for Law and Justice said, "While the
court did not address the merits of the case, it is clear that
the Pledge of Allegiance and the words 'under God' can continue
to be recited by students across America," |
2005
U.S. Flag
History |
Half-Staff
Disaster |
The The American Flag is flown
at half-staff January 2nd to the 8th after a death toll of
greater than 100,000 in the world's greatest natural disaster
in recorded history. After an earthquake in the ocean
depths, violent tsunamis struck the lands that surround the
Indian Ocean. |
2005
U.S. Flag
History |
Half-Staff
Disaster |
The American Flag is flown at
half-staff for one month after
Hurricane Katrina hits
Mississippi and
Louisiana causing the
greatest Natural Disaster in American History.
See the
Hurricane TimeLine at this
site. |
2005
legislation |
|
The Freedom to Display
the American Flag Act of 2005 is introduced on January 4, 2005. |
2005
legislation |
|
On January 25, 2005
Representative Duke Cunningham, introduced an Amendment to the
Constitution. It read simply, "The Congress shall have power to
prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United
States." |
2005
legislation |
|
On June 22, 2005 the
proposed Flag burning Amendment passes the House, it next moves
to the Senate and if passed must be approved by 38 States within
7 years. |
2006
Flag Day
Flag Week |
Proclamation |
President George W. Bush
declares Flag Day and Flag Week for 2006.
"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United
States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2006, as Flag Day
and the week beginning June 11, 2006, as National Flag Week. I
direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all
Federal Government buildings during that week, and I urge all
Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by flying
the Stars and Stripes from their homes and other suitable
places. I also call upon the people of the United States to
observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day
through Independence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89
Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our
heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly
recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
of America.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day
of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth."
-
President George W. Bush
|
2006
Legislation |
Rules
Right to Fly |
In 2006 the right to fly
the flag act was enacted when signed by
President George W. Bush
on July 24, 2006. Home Associations shall not deny ones
right to display the American Flag.
"A condominium
association, cooperative association, or residential real
estate management association may not adopt or enforce any
policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or
prevent a member of the association from displaying the flag
of the United States on residential property within the
association with respect to which such member has a separate
ownership interest or a right to exclusive possession or
use. Sec. 3.
|
2006
Legislation |
legislation |
On June 28, 2006 the
Flag Constitutional Amendment dies in the Senate by one vote. |
2007
USPS |
Stamp |
Featuring the American
Flag a 41¢ Stamp is released on April, 12, 2007. It was reissued
in August at the same rate. |
2007
U.S. Flag
History |
Approaching
50 years old. |
The Fifty-star flag
became the longest used of all the American flags on July 5th,
2007. Previously it was the 48-star flag, that had been used for
48 years. July 4th, 2010 will be the 50th anniversary of
the 50 star-Flag. |
2007
legislation |
|
A proposal was made in
the 110th Congress, to amend the United States Code to allow
state governors to order the flag be flown at half-staff for the
death of a member of the Armed Forces who dies while serving on
active duty. (Public Law 110-41) |
2008
Legislation |
Veteran
Salute |
On January 28th, 2008
President George W. Bush
signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008
that included the changing of the flag etiquette to include
allowing veterans to salute the flag whether in uniform or not. |
2008
USPS |
 Stamps |
The first ten of sixty
Flags of Our Nation stamps were released on June 14th, 2008,
Flag day. The Flags of Our Nation highlights the Stars and
Stripes, 50 State Flags, five territorial flags and the District
of Columbia flag. The next in the series was in September and
will continue through 2009 and into 2010. |
20++
Future |
Proposed |
A Proposed flag, should
a 51st state be admitted to the Union, has 6 rows of stars
beginning with 9 in the first row and then alternating with a
row of 8 stars. The design was first by Robert Heft who also
designed the 50-star flag, and is held by the U.S. Army
Institute of Heraldry for consideration should a 51st state be
admitted to the Union. |
20++
Future |
|
A Proposed flag, should
a 51st state be admitted to the Union, was proposed by the New
Progressive Party of Puerto Rico. It has a circle of 51 stars,
20 stars in the outside circle and others aligned inward to a
star in the center. |
|
|
Flag
Links
Flag Links |
Flag
Links
The Flag Links have been moved to the
Patriotic Link Page
Other
Flag Information
@
PoetPatriot.com
Reciprocal links
American Flags -
American, State, World, Featherd flags and more.
Flag Desk
- Flags, Flagpoles, Parts & Accessories.
Happy-Graduation.com - free
ecards
National Anthems
-Lyrics and Audio for Anthems of all Countries of
the World.
Waving Flag Images
- Free Flag
Animations - Military, State, Historical, Worldwide
More Flag Links @
PoetPatriot.com
- - -
PoetPatriot's Patriotic Link
Page
|
Flag
Trivia
Flag
Trivia
Flag
Trivia |
American
Flag Trivia
The 50-star American Flag has been in active use longer than any
other American national flag.
Eleven Presidents have served under the 50-star flag.
The 50-star flag will be 50 years old on July 4, 2010, assuming
no other states are admitted.
The 48-Star flag was in service for 47 years and was the longest
used American national flag,
until the 50-star flag remained in use through July, 2007.
The same flag that flew over Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941,
flew again at the White House on August 14, 1945, the day the
Japanese signed the terms of surrender.
8 stars in a row on the American flag first showed on the
29-star flag in 1847.
The 15-star flag had 15 stripes, the only American Flag to not
have 13 stripes.
Betsy Ross was the first to sew together an official American
Flag.
Betsy Ross was only one of many flag makers during the American
Revolution.
Any of the previous official versions of the American flag are
still valid. They are legal and proper to display.
America began with 13 stars on it's flag. The Confederacy ended
with 13 stars on it's flag.
~ ~ ~
Confederate Flag
The "Rebel Flag" was never the Confederate National Flag.
The national flag of the Confederacy had three bars, red, white,
and red.
The Confederate Navy Jack is the flag that is often called the
"Rebel Flag".
It is the flag that now more commonly symbolizes the South.
~ ~ ~
Misc. Trivia
Arizona and Oregon entered the Union on Valentine's Day.
Texas was once an independent county with it's own flag.
California once had it's own flag as a republic.
Other
Flag Information
@
PoetPatriot.com
All
rights reserved. © 2005, 2009, 2013, 2014 Roger W
Hancock - PoetPatriot.com |
TimeLines of Liberty
American History - Flags & Flag Day
|
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http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-42 -
http://historical.ha.com/common/view_item.php?Sale_No=663&Lot_No=72068&type=&ic=
- July 1936 National Geographic -
http://www.elmersflag.com/products.cfm?sid=20763760U52018011509002A1242054625689K75K172K80K130N64084828Y763&c=14
-
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us%5E2cv.html -
http://www.usflagdepot.com/store/page1.html -
http://www.anyflag.com/history/genfrem.htm -
http://www.taunton-ma.gov/Pages/index -
http://www.thegroundzeroflag.org/2012/11/14/annual-september-tribute-2010/
http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-csrel.html -
http://www.annin.com/products/flag_hist_Taunton.asp -
Antique Roadshow (Battle of Shilow Battle Flag 1862)
|
TimeLines of Liberty
American History - Flags & Flag Day
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Index |
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All rights reserved. © copyright 2005,
2009, 2013, 2014 Roger W
Hancock - PoetPatriot.com
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