We stand at attention and place our right hands over our hearts. Men remove their hats and some render a military salute. We pledge fidelity to the American flag, a symbol with a rich history, reflecting times and events. On Saturday, June 14, we celebrate Flag Day. Here are some facts about the stars and stripes as well as the flags that preceded it.
Promising loyalty
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the new world, Bellamy created a patriotic school program, including the Pledge.
There was also a Bellamy-inspired salute, which called for students to place the right hand over the heart then extend the arm toward the flag, palm down. The arm gesture was eliminated during World War II as it so closely resembled the Nazi salute.
The Pledge has undergone four changes, with “under God” the last change, signed into law by President Eisenhower on Flag Day in 1954. Some claim this was partially done in response to the “godlessness” of communism during the Cold War.
Flag origins
As early as 5000 BC, Egyptians carried cloth streamers. Romans displayed cloth squares on spear tips and, during the Middle Ages, Europeans attached flags to staffs. During this period, national flags came into being as well as banners representing rulers, guilds and locations.
The first flags flown over American soil were European in origin, symbolizing discovery and possession.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus carried the Spanish flag, as did Ponce De Leon and De Soto. French, Dutch and Swedish flags also dotted the landscape.
The British Union flag was brought to this country by the Jamestown settlers and the Pilgrims bore it on the Mayflower. The British Union waved in the breeze until the Revolutionary War.
During the Colonial and Revolutionary War years flags, depicting persons, places and events flew over the colonies but the design of many such flags was lost to the ages due to lack of official documentation.
Flags with a message
The early flags were colorful and adorned with symbols and mottos.
Bedford: Carried into the battle of Concord, Mass., in 1775. An arm and sword emerging from a cloud with three cannonballs and the words “Vince Aut Morier” meaning “Conquer or Die.”
Culpepper: 1775, Culpepper Co., Va. A coiled rattle snake with 13 rattles, assumed to represent the colonies. A symbol of vigilance, the snake does not instigate an attack but doesn’t retreat when provoked. The rattle snake appeared on several war flags with the mottos “Liberty or Death” and “Don’t Tread on Me.”
Washington’s Cruisers – 1775. Flown from seven ships outfitted by George Washington as this fledgling navy attempted to drive the British from New England. The pine tree was a common freedom symbol and the motto “Appeal to Heaven” was a popular phrase used by the colonists as they asked God to free them from British tyranny. There are numerous depictions of this flag.
Hanover Associators: 1774, Hanover, Pa. A rifleman on alert, set on a field of red. The motto “Liberty or Death” reflected the defiant attitude of the colonists toward Great Britain.
Markoe - 1775. Designed for the Philadelphia Light Horse Troop. A yellow flag with a coat of arms and 13 blue and silver stripes in the canton. Believed to be the first American flag to use stripes.
The Stars and Stripes
The Continental Colors, the first national flag, is believed to have been first hoisted by John Paul Jones. It was described by an English spy as “English colours, but more striped.” Never officially sanctioned, it was replaced by the Continental Congress.
“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 on a blue field, representing the new constellation.” Resolution adopted by the Continental Congress, June 14, 1777.
Did she or didn’t she?
Whether Betsy Ross (1752-1836) made the first American flag has been a topic of conversation for years. The fact is, no one knows. While the story is embedded in American history, there is a lack of documentation to support it. The Philadelphia seamstress has her backers as well as a museum, but even the museum guides encourage visitors to decide for themselves.
The Betsy Ross flag story was first touted in 1870 by her grandson, a full 94 years after the fact. As the tale goes, George Washington hired Ross to embroider ruffles on his shirts, so was familiar with her skills. He brought her a Congress-approved sketch and asked her to create a flag.
Historians have diligently searched government records, personal diaries and the writings of Washington, but have been unable to substantiate the tale.
Change is good
The 1777 Old Glory had 13 stars and 13 stripes. By 1795, when Kentucky and Vermont had joined the Union, the flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. By 1818, the flag would have required five more stars and five more stripes. Perhaps seeing the handwriting on the wall, Congress acted and returned to the 13 stripe design with only stars added for each new state.
Between 1912 and 1959, the flag had 48 stars, the longest period without a change. With the admission of Alaska and Hawaii in 1959, the count changed again. The 50 star American Flag became official on July 4, 1960.
Flag Day
By the late 1800s, schools across the country were holding Flag Day programs to observe the adoption of the flag and to foster Americanization of immigrant children.
A proclamation was issued by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, and again by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, calling for an annual June 14 Flag Day. The wheels turn slowly and it wasn’t until 1949 that President Truman approved and signed the resolution.
“The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner.” Author unknown
Sources: Compton’s by Britannica; http://www.smithsonianmag.com; http://www.military.com; http://www.usa-flag-site.org; http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com; http://www.ushistory.org; http://www.quotegarden.com; http://www.history.com.