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.
