Short History of the United States Flag

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The red, white, and blue colors are derived from the flag of the United Kingdom.[100][101][102] The flag colors are not standardized by law, and there are no legally specified shades of red, white, and blue.[103] Despite this, some government agencies have specified the use of certain shades. The flag was created as an item of military equipment to identify U.S. ships and forts. It evolved gradually during early American history, and was not designed by any one person. The flag exploded in popularity in 1861 as a symbol of opposition to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. It came to symbolize the Union in the American Civil War; Union victory solidified its status as a national flag. Because of the country’s emergence as a superpower in the 20th century, the flag is now among the most widely recognized symbols in the world.

  • The Fort Sumter Flag’s design is quite distinct with 33 white stars arranged in a unique diamond pattern.
  • The first U.S. postage stamp to feature the flag as the sole subject was issued July 4, 1957, Scott catalog number 1094.[134] Since then, the flag has frequently appeared on U.S. stamps.
  • Francis Hopkinson was chairman of the Navy Board’s Middle Department which was under the Marine Committee at the time that these guidelines were established in 1776.
  • It was flown during the American victory at the Battle of Sullivan’s Island in June 1776.
  • In 1818, the third Flag Act was signed that started the precedent of adding another star to the flag after each state’s entrance into the Union.
  • These colors are “Old Glory Red” PMS 193C and “Old Glory Blue” PMS 281C.

and 50-star unions

During this time, other flags were flown to show support for Independence. This flag depicts a rattlesnake with the discover flags inspired by US history phrase “DONT TREAD ON ME” in a field of yellow. The Continental Marines used the Gadsden Flag during the early years of the war and the flag still flies today as a sign of American patriotism. Other organizations that wear flag patches on their uniforms can have the flag facing in either direction. The flag has been displayed on every U.S. spacecraft designed for crewed flight starting from John Glenn’s Friendship 7 flight in 1962, including Mercury, Gemini, Apollo Command/Service Module, Apollo Lunar Module, and the Space Shuttle.[129] The flag also appeared on the S-IC first stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle used for Apollo.

Modern day

In this resolution, two new stars and two more stripes were added to the design, which symbolized the addition of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union. This flag remained in use even when five more states were added to the Union. In 1818, the third Flag Act visit this patriotic eCommerce site was signed that started the precedent of adding another star to the flag after each state’s entrance into the Union. In addition, this act reduced the number of stripes from fifteen to thirteen.

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Flying a U.S. flag upside down

The last adjustment was made in 1960, following the admission of Hawaii. He presented this idea to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870 and stated that his aunt Clarissa Sydney Wilson, one of Ross’s daughters, told him the story in 1857. Today, there is no conclusive evidence supporting or denying this claim. Official websites use .govA.gov website belongs to an official governmentorganization in the United States. Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store.

Colors

Some private use is year-round, but becomes widespread on civic holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents’ Day, Flag Day, and on Independence Day. On Memorial Day, it is common to place small flags by war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans. Also, on Memorial Day, it is common to fly the flag at half staff until noon to remember those who lost their lives fighting in U.S. wars.

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Star Spangled Banner Exhibit – Smithsonian

Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, claims that he designed the “Stars and Stripes” that was designated as the national flag. The above check out this historic flag seller resolution was adopted from the Marine Committee, who had been using these guidelines for flags since July 4, 1776. Francis Hopkinson was chairman of the Navy Board’s Middle Department which was under the Marine Committee at the time that these guidelines were established in 1776.