The Birth of US Flag

Birth of American Flag

The national flag which we see these days has been effective since July 4, 1960. This was following the inclusion of Hawaii in the United States of America. And this flag was nothing new, but is a descendant of an original flag. The Flag that was born within a year of American Independence. And its birthday is not regarded as the day it was created, but on June 14, 1777, when it was given the official recognition of the Continental Congress as the national flag of the United States of America. And it was for the first time the republic wiped out the presence of the British empire from its national flag.

With the date of recognition hogging the historic limelight, the event of the creation of the flag itself lost the focus. So the different versions of the story those has been trickled down to us is based more on legends than on historic facts. It is known that the first Independence Day was celebrated with a different flag, called the Grand Union Flag. It was the same flag that was hoisted outside Boston, probably at Prospect Hill in Somerville but perhaps at Cambridge on Jan 1, 1776. And it carried the British Union flag, the predecessor to the Union Jack, in the place of the canton that now houses the constellation of stars. Although the need for a new flag was felt, the design was not made until 1777.

was hoisted , on Jan. 1, 1776; it was hoisted, it appears, at the behest of General George Washington, The design of the Stars and Stripes with a diamond-shaped field of 13 stars is attributed to magistrate, John Hulbert. While the Stars and Stripes with a circle of 13 stars is attributed to Betsy Ross. However, both attributions are questionable.

According to one story, it was resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States would be:

"of thirteen stripes alternate red and white;
that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

And it was Betsy Ross who was entrusted with the designing of the would be flag based on the guidelines of the Resolution. Betsy Ross was a young widow of John Ross, a patriot who had died in the service of his country. She was supporting herself by continuing the upholstery business of her late husband. She was known for her exquisite needlework, and was engaged in the flag-making business.

So, within the guidelines, she was free to design the flag as she wished. She chose the size of the stripes, the arrangement of the stars, and the overall proportions of the flag. It is said that Betsy introduced the design of the five point stars to replace the six point one that was prevalent at that time. Sometime after its completion it was presented to Congress, and the committee had the pleasure of informing Betsy Ross that her flag was accepted as the Nation's standard.

According to yet another story, it was John Hulbert, then a magistrate, who designed the first Flag. And it was the Stars and Stripes with a diamond-shaped field of 13 stars.

However, historical proofs point out that apart from the stripes, the first Flag had the stars arranged in five rows with each having two or three stars. And the layout of these stars was left undefined. So, several patterns came up on the same ground. Sponsors:

Flag day is a special day when you should thank our veterans and fly your country flag high. Make sure you have a sturdy flag pole though or you may lose your flag in the wind!  Why wait for Flag day to fly your American flag. Any day is the perfect day to begin flying your U.S. Flag. A state flag would also be suitable to fly to show your state pride.