While the modern american flag has become a symbol around the world for freedom, justice, and prosperity, it has actually changed sixty three times over the past two hundred. From drexel university online, an educational video exploration into the history of the american flag, narrated by former nbc10 journalist terry ruggles. The flag should never have any words, marks, pictures, or figures. The national flag day foundation celebrates at fort mchenry. American flag history for kids history, american history. The flag as we know it was born not as a symbol, but as a very practical banner. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white. Cigrand, a wisconsin schoolteacher, in 1885 urged his students to. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of. Flag day, also called national flag day, in the united states, a day honouring the national flag, observed on june 14. At that time, the first official flag of the united states was designed with stars and stripes to represent the existing colonies. Evry heart beats true, neath the red, white and blue. History of the flags of the united states wikipedia. One aspect on which the first american flag history is hotly debated is the one that deals with, who designed the first american flag.
A brief history of flag day national constitution center. Conclude by asking students to think about the following questions. A star was added for the state of kansas, which was admitted to the united states of america on january 29th, 1861. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. A timeline every heart beats true for the red, white, and blue but does every heart know the interesting united states flag history. Flag day is celebrated in america on june 14, commemorating the day the first flag resolution was passed.
As adopted by the national flag conference, washington, d. A short history of the american flag what so proudly we hail. The star spangled banner became our national anthem in 1931. The rhetoric of the american flag has been significant over history. This was the flag that was flown by armies of the north during the first half of the civil war. This was the resolution adopted by the continental congress on june 14, 1777. May betsy ross reports that she sewed the first american flag. American flag history, myths, and facts learn religions.
From its unofficial beginning as the continental colors or grand union flag to the long serving 50star. This video will help you learn how to properly display and respect the united states most recognizable and important national icon. The united states flag is the third oldest of the national standards of the world, even older than britains union jack or the tricolor of france. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the unites states of america and to the republic for which it stands, one na tion, under god, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. A timeline of the evolution and development of the official u. Generally, the flag is given to the next of kin as a keepsake after its use. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the flag act, which mandated that, the flag of the united states be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white. Have you ever seen a flag with 18 stars or 24 stars, a flag that represents the state of illinois with only 21 stars. On june 14, 1777, the continental congress created the standard for the american flag as consisting of thirteen stripes, alternating between red and white. A printable pdf version of the flag is also available.
While some believe that it was a philadelphia seamstress, ms. A brief history of the american flag grand new flag. The flag of the united states, the white flag of truce, and weather flags are examples. He is the author of the everything american presidents book and colonial life. The american flag is a source of american history, legend, unity and respect. Displaying all worksheets related to history of american flag.
History of the american flag american flag history. The us flag, also popularly known as stars and stripes, consists of stars and 50 stripes. Facts about the united states flag smithsonian institution. Flag is a general descriptive term for a cloth device with a distinguishing color or design, which has a special meaning or serves as a signal.
The military service flag or blue star service banner of the united states armed forces. In american history, the vikings carried a flag which bore a black raven on a. The flag of the united states of america, often referred to as the american flag or u. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white.
American flag facts, etiquette and history youtube. The united states armed forces date to 1775, when america needed a defense force to protect the original colonies from a british invasion. Throughout its 237 years of existence the american flag has been officially modified 26 times. When did congress adopt the stars and stripes as the american flag. Its a great history lesson for students learning about individual states and their flags or of our collective history but mostly it is a beautiful photographic document of the flags of our countrys history. This 34star flag became the official american flag on july 4th, 1861.
The flag shown here is the actual one that inspired francis scott key to write our. Click on popout icon or print icon to worksheet to print or download. Generally, the flag is given to the nextofkin as a keepsake after its use. The holiday commemorates the date in 1777 when the united states approved the design for its first national flag the idea to set aside a day to honour the national flag came from several sources. The evolution of the american flag throughout history.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Home american flag history american flag timeline 1776 to present. The history of the united states flag stories to read. Flying the flag upside down is a signal of danger or distress. Us history, history facts, american history, american pride, american flag facts, american flag meaning, texas. Long ago, the norsemen probed our coastal waters sailing under the banner of the black raven. On july 4, 1776, congress voted to accept the declaration of independence, marking july. Betsy ross, there is strong evidence pointing towards francis hopkinson, the signer of the declaration of independence. The principal acts affecting the flag of the united states are the following. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling. On january 1, 1776, the continental army was reorganized in accordance with a congressional resolution, which placed american forces under george washingtons control.
The declaration of independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the united states. You have probably seen the american flag thousands of times. May 15, 20 from drexel university online, an educational video exploration into the history of the american flag, narrated by former nbc10 journalist terry ruggles. A short history of the american flag our flag carries american ideas, american history, and american feelings, henry ward beecher declared in 1861 to a group of union soldiers. Historical records do show that betsy ross made flags for the government in 1777, but whether she made the first united states flag will probably always remain. How do you think the american flag might change in the future. July 20 the american flag is placed on the moon by neil armstrong. Stars, stripes and symbols of america library of congress.
Find answers to common and uncommon questions about the united states flag and its evolution. Free united states flag downloads including pictures in gif, jpg, and png formats in small, medium, and large sizes. Because the enemys flag, instead of the flag of the real country of the attacking ship, was hung, it was called a false flag attack. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Todays post, in honor of flag day, comes from alex nieuwsma, an intern in the national archives history office. In american history, june 14 isnt just a day to honor the flag. It took thomas jefferson 17 days to write the declaration of independence. On july 2, 1776, congress voted to declare independence from great britain.
While giving the pledge of allegiance all should face the flag. In years which multiple states were admitted, the number of stars on the flag jumped correspondingly. Only one flag may be issued for each deceased veteran. General george washington first raised the continental army flag in 1776, a redand white striped flag with the british union jack where we now have stars. That the flag of the united states shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation. Vector files are available in ai, eps, and svg formats. General george washington first raised the continental army flag in 1776, a redandwhite striped flag with the british union jack where we now have stars. Through the years the number of stars in the canton has increased with the addition of new states, and the meaning of the flag has expanded to unimaginable heights. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. The flag of the united states is one of the oldest national standards in the world. Nov 16, 2014 the united states flag is the third oldest of the national standards of the world, even older than britains union jack or the tricolor of france. Thirtysix star united states flag description and history.
History of the flag of the united states of america. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red top and bottom alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton referred to specifically as the union bearing fifty small, white, fivepointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal. The law defined flag in an expansive manner similar to most states. History of the flag of the united states of america before we became a nation, our land knew many flags. The actual flag that key saw that day can be seen at the national museum of american history in washington, dc. History of american flag worksheets lesson worksheets. While for many the american flag represents the ideals of america and.
The dutch colonists brought their striped flag to new. Today is the 100th anniversary of flag day, the official observance in honor of the starspangled banner that represents the united states of america. The united states flag represents so much of what america means and its symbolism runs deep in its history. Ward beecher declared in 1861 to a group of union soldiers.
While the stars signify the original colonies, stripes represent the states in the us. The flag should never be used for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. The commanders of the confederate army in virginia then known at the army of the potomac sought a distinctive emblem as an alternative to the confederacys first national flagthe stars and barsto serve as a battle flag. Betsy ross, there is strong evidence pointing towards francis. On june 14, 1777, the second continental congress officially adopted the stars and stripes as the national flag of the united states of america. Betsy ross showing the united states flag to george washington and others. The federal law made it illegal to knowingly cast contempt upon any flag of the united states by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it. The evolution of the american flag 17762014 since 1777 the american flag, also known as old glory, has been a symbol of strength and unity for the united states of america. Resolved, that the flag of the united states be thirteen stripes. In the military service, the color is a flag of a dismounted unit. Flag with 20 stars and stripes it remains at hereafter tennessee june 1, 1796, ohio march 1, 1803, louisiana april 30, 1812, indiana december 11, 1816, mississippi december 10, 1817 flag with 21 stars illinois december 3, 1818 flag with 23 stars alabama december 14, 1819, maine march 15, 1820 first flag on pikes peak. The united states flag diagram 22 resource sheet 2.
How many states made up the united states long ago when the older flag was created. The story of our flag is the story of the nation itself. 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. This lesson offers specific symbolic aspects of the u. Through its many changes and iterations, the american flag has come to.
Indeed, this concept is so wellaccepted that rules of engagement for naval, air and land warfare all prohibit false flag attacks. Worksheets are the american flag, the american flag work pdf, esl work, flag of the united states, flag of the united states, lesson title stars stripes and symbols of america, flag day vocabulary work, the educational resource handbook. While the 1777 resolution establishing a national flag was the impetus for the national holiday known as flag day, that date. The other popular names of the american flag are starspangled banner and old glory. Jun, 2016 this video will help you learn how to properly display and respect the united states most recognizable and important national icon. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance.
On june 14, 1777, to establish an official flag for the new nation, the continental congress passed the first flag act. History of our flag 1776on july 4th the flag becomes the first national symbol of the u. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. Now your child can learn about the history of the american flag with this great printable. The united states army is the oldest established june 14, 1775 and largest of the five branches. Educational resources the american flag foundation. Flag etiquette, flag history, flag holidays, flag code, folding the flag, flag disposal, powerpoint how to treat the american flag, how to display the flag, our flags progression other educational resources. There will be alternate red and white stripes and thirteen stars in a field of blue, representing the colonies. Note that you may need to adjust printer settings for the best results since flags come in varying dimensions. Soldiers are responsible for performing landbased military operations. Our flag carries american ideas, american history, and american feelings, henry. Since 1818, a star for each new state has been added to the flag on the fourth of july immediately following each states admission.