The United States Flag is the third oldest of
the National Standards of the world; older than the Union
Jack of Britain or the Tricolor of France.
The flag was first authorized by Congress June 14,
1777. This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout
America.
The flag was first flown from Fort Stanwix, on the
site of the present city of Rome, New York, on August 3,
1777. It was first under fire for three days later in the
Battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777.
It was first decreed that there should be a star and
a stripe for each state, making thirteen of both; for the
states at the time had just been erected from the original
thirteen colonies.
The colors of the Flag may be thus explained: The
red is for valor, zeal and fervency; the white for hope,
purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct; the
blue, the color of heaven, for reverence to God, loyalty,
sincerity, justice and truth.
The star (an ancient symbol of India, Persia and
Egypt) symbolized dominion and sovereignty, as well as
lofty aspirations. The constellation of the stars within
the union, one star for each state, is emblematic of our
Federal Constitution, which reserves to the States their
individual sovereignty except as to rights delegated by
them to the Federal Government.
The symbolism of the Flag was thus interpreted by
Washington: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from
our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus
showing that we have separated from her, and the white
stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty."
In 1791, Vermont, and in 1792, Kentucky were
admitted to the Union and the number of stars and stripes
was raised to fifteen in correspondence. As other states
came into the Union it became evident there would be too
many stripes. So in 1818 Congress enacted that the number
of stripes be reduced and restricted henceforth to
thirteen representing the thirteen original states; while
a star should be added for each succeeding state. That law
is the law of today.
The name "Old Glory" was given to our National Flag
August 10, 1831, by Captain William Driver of the brig
Charles Doggett.
The Flag was first carried in battle at the
Brandywine, September 11, 1777. It first flew over foreign
territory January 28, 1778, at Nassau, Bahama Islands;
Fort Nassau having been captured by the American in the
course of the war for independence. The first foreign
salute to the flag was rendered by the french admiral
LaMotte Piquet, off Quiberon Bay, February 13, 1778.
The United States Flag is unique in the deep and
noble significance of its message to the entire world, a
message of national independence, of individual liberty,
of idealism, of patriotism.
It symbolizes national independence and popular
sovereignty. It is not the Flag of a reigning family or
royal house, but of 205 million free people welded into a
Nation, one and inseparable, united not only by community
of interest, but by vital unity of sentiment and purpose;
a Nation distinguished for the clear individual conception
of its citizens alike of their duties and their
privileges, their obligations and their rights.
It incarnates for all mankind the spirit of Liberty
and the glorious ideal of human Freedom; not the freedom
of unrestraint or the liberty of license, but an unique
ideal of equal opportunity for life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness, safeguarded by the stern and lofty
principles of duty, of righteousness and of justice, and
attainable by obedience to self-imposed laws.
Floating from lofty pinnacles of American Idealism,
it is a beacon of enduring hope, like the famous Bartholdi
Statue of Liberty enlightening the World to the oppressed
of all lands. It floats over a wondrous assemblage of
people from every racial stock of the earth whose united
hearts constitute an indivisible and invincible force for
the defense and succor of the downtrodden.
It embodies the essence of patriotism. Its spirit is
the spirit of the American nation. Its history is the
history of the American people. Emblazoned upon its folds
in letters of living light are the names and fame of our
heroic dead, the Fathers of the Republic who devoted upon
its altars their lives, their fortunes and their sacred
honor. Twice told tales of National honor and glory
cluster thickly about it. Ever victorious, it has emerged
triumphant from eight great National conflicts. It flew at
Saratoga, at Yorktown, at Palo Alto, at Gettysburg, at
Manila bay, at Chateau-Thierry, at Iwo Jima. It bears
witness to the immense expansion of our national
boundaries, the development of our natural resources, and
the splendid structure of our civilization. It prophecies
the triumph of popular government, of civic and religious
liberty and of national righteousness throughout the
world.
The flag first rose over thirteen states along the
Atlantic seaboard, with a population of some three million
people. Today it flies over fifty states, extending across
the continent, and over great islands of the two oceans;
and millions owe it allegiance. It has been brought to
this proud position by love and sacrifice. Citizens have
advanced it and heroes have died for it. It is the sign
made visible of the strong spirit that has brought liberty
and prosperity to the people of America. It is the flag of
all us alike. Let us accord it honor and loyalty
