History of the FlagThe evolution of the Stars and Stripes reflects the growth of our country. After the admission of Hawaii into the Union in 1959, the flag was officially changed for the 26th time since its creation. There are many government flags flown in the U.S. in addition to the national flag. Among them are the president's and vice-president's flags and those of the federal departments and some federal agencies. Each state in the Union has an official flag. The U.S. Navy uses special flags for signaling.
Salute to the FlagWhen the national anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, all present should stand and face toward the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note and retain this position until the last note. All others should stand at attention, the men removing their hats. When the flag is displayed, all should face it and give the appropriate salute.
Pledge to the FlagThe pledge of allegiance to the flag was first published in 1892 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's voyage to North America, in Boston, Massachusetts. James Bailey Upham, the editor of The Youth's Companion, and his associate, Francis Bellamy, created the original words of the flag tribute and school children from around the country were asked to join in a special salute to the flag. In 1939 the United States Flag Association ruled that Bellamy was the author of the original pledge.In pledging allegiance to the flag, stand with the right hand over the heart or at attention. Men remove their hats. Persons in uniform give the military salute. All pledge together:
of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. During the War of 1812 between the British and Americans, lawyer Francis Scott Key was escorting a prisoner to freedom by ship when he saw an American flag surviving a battle in Baltimore Harbor. The flag inspired him to write the poem which provides the words for the national anthem. The actual flag now hangs in the Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.. Today the "Star-Spangled Banner" is sung at large public gatherings such as sports events. Many television stations play the anthem before the station closes down for the night.
The Star-Spangled BannerThe National AnthemOh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
Evolution and History of The Stars and Stripes"June 14, 1777: This is the first official Stars and Stripes. Although the design of the Stars and Stripes may have been used before its adoption by Congress on June 14, 1777, there is no official record to indicate its earlier use. Congress does not direct a specific arrangement of the 13 stars. The sponsor of this first national flag law is unknown, though the resolution is believed to have originated in the Marine Committee. The flag serves until May 1, 1795." "August 16, 1777: The flag is first flown in ground combat at the battle of Bennington--about 1,600 Green Mountain Boys under General John Stark wipe out the British forces, contributing to the later defeat of General John Burgoyne at Saratoga, New York." "November 1, 1777: The Ranger, commanded by John Paul Jones, sails from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, first displays the flag at sea. En route to Nantes, the ship captures 2 brigantines and sends them into French ports as prizes--it's the first time the flag is flown in combat at sea." "February 14, 1778: The French fleet gives a salute of 9 guns in answer to a salute of 13 guns given by John Paul Jones as he enters Quiberon Bay near Brest, France. It is the first foreign recognition of the flag." "April 24, 1778: John Paul Jones compels a British man-of-war to strike its flag to the American flag." "January 17, 1781: At the battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, the Third Maryland Regiment carries a flag which has 13 stars and stripes as prescribed by Congress in 1777. The Marylanders, however, choose to arrange the stars in a circle of 12 with one in the center. This is probably one of the few Stars and Stripes used by ground troops until the Mexican War." "September 30, 1787 - August 10, 1790: The flag is first carried around the world by the Columbia, sailing from Boston." 1795: The flag is given 15 stars and 15 stripes to honor the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union." "May 1812: The flag is first flown over a schoolhouse at Colrain, Massachusetts." "1814: The flag that flies over Fort McHenry inspires Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner. Authorized by Congress in 1795, it is still in use despite the fact that there are 18 states in the Union. It remains unchanged until 1818." "July 4, 1818: With the adoption of this flag by a law passed April 4, 1818, the flag begins to assume its later appearance. Some favor adding a stripe for each new state, but Congress restores the 13 stripes and orders the addition of one star for each new state, to take effect the 4th day of July succeeding the admission of the state." "1824: The name "Old Glory" is given the flag by Captain William Driver, commanding the brig Charles Doggett." "1859 - 1861: At the beginning of the Civil War the 33-star flag represents the U.S. The 34-star flag becomes official July 4, 1861, signifying the admission of Kansas into the Union. 2 more states (West Virginia and Nevada) are added before the war's end bringing the total to 36 states. At no time during the Civil War is the American flag changed to reflect the secession of states from the Union. From 1867 to 1896, 9 more states are admitted into the Union and 9 more stars added to the flag." "June 14, 1861: Flag Day is first observed at Hartford, Connecticut." "1877: Flag Day is first officially observed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the selection of the flag." "June 14, 1893: Flag Day is first celebrated in public schools, in Philadelphia." "1897: The governor of New York proclaims a Flag Day celebration for the first time as an annual event in the state." "1908 - 1912: The 46-star flag becomes official July 4, 1908, reflecting Oklahoma's admission in 1907." "1912: President William H. Taft, in an executive order, prescribes the proper legal dimensions of the flag." "1912 - 1959: When New Mexico and Arizona are admitted into the Union in 1912, the American flag is designed to include 48 stars. This flag represents the nation for the longest period of time--47 years." "May 30, 1916: President Woodrow Wilson establishes Flag Day as an annual national celebration in a May 30th proclamation." "August 3, 1949: President Truman approves the National Flag Day Bill, designating June 14 annually as national Flag Day." "1959 - 1960: The 49-star flag reflects the admission of Alaska into the Union. It is the official U.S. flag for only one year, July 4, 1959, to July 4, 1960. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii becomes the 50th state. On this same date, an executive order authorizes the new 50-star American flag. It becomes official July 4, 1960." "July 20, 1969: The flag is planted in the Mare Tranquillitatis by Apollo 11 astronauts."
Flag Day Activities for teachersHave the children count the number of flags they see in one day and where they have seen them. Make a graph of the results. The colors of the flag have meaning: red is for hardiness and courage; white is for purity and innocence; blue is for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Use this concept for some creative writing. What things colored red, white or blue are also good symbols for hardiness and courage, purity and innocence, or vigilance, perseverance, and justice? Have your students work together to make a festive Flag Day tablecloth out of a long sheet of white butcher paper. Then ask each child to bring a food from home that is either red, white, or blue. You might want to brainstorm a list with your class, putting the items into the correct color categories. For example: red (strawberries, apples, tomatoes), white (milk, Cool whip, white chocolate), blue (blueberries, blue corn chips). Arrange the food on the tablecloth, play patriotic music, and eat! Divide your class into 3 groups to construct a 3-dimensional American flag. Cut 1" x 8" strips from red, white, and blue construction paper and give each group one color. Have them make paper chains using staplers, glue or tape. Have each group make the following number of chains: red group--4 chains of 25 loops and 3 chains of 50 loops; white group--3 chains of 25 loops and 3 chains of 50 loops; blue group--7 chains of 25 loops. Arrange the completed chains so that they look like the U.S. flag. Mount the paper-chain flag on a bulletin board. Encourage each student to design a flag with several small drawings that represent his or her memories of the school year. Attach each flag to a straw and display the flags throughout the classroom. Or enlist the help of your music teacher or librarian to locate recordings of lively marching music--be sure to include John Philip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever--and have a parade! Sing some patriotic songs: The Star-Spangled Banner, America, or You're a Grand Old Flag. And then there's this one:
See Our FlagTune: "Yankee Doodle"
See our flag, now watch it wave.
--Gayle Bittinger Purchase an assortment of flag stickers. Divide the stickers into matching pairs. Attach each of the flags to an index card. Match up the cards and let your children take turns matching pairs of flags. Variation: Use the cards to play Concentration.
Flag Day VocabularyFrancis Hopkinson John Paul Jones Frances Scott Key gonfanon pennant pennon Pledge of Allegiance Star-Spangled Banner salute Betsy Ross tricolor Union Jack vexillology
Flag Day TriviaThe stripes in the flag were probably adopted from the flag of the Sons of Liberty, which had 5 red and 4 white stripes. Early leaders of campaigns to establish Flag Day as an annual national celebration included William T. Kerr of Pittsburgh and Bernard J. Cigrand of Waubeka, Wisconsin.
Flag Day ResourcesDesmond, Alice C. Your Flag and Mine. Fisher, Leonard Everett. Stars and Stripes : Our National Flag. Furlong, William R. So Proudly We Hail : The History of the United States Flag. Radlauer, Ruth Shaw. Honor the Flag : A Guide to Its Care and Display. Spier, Peter. The Star-Spangled Banner. Wallner, Alexandra. Betsy Ross.
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