The Story Behind The American Flag

United States American Flag

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patriotic flags

The current American flag was officially adopted on July 4th, 1960. This is one of the most patriotic flags and it consists of 13 stripes, alternating red and white, and a blue union with 50 white stars. The American flag unites us as a country and it really represents what this country was built on – liberty and freedom.

The stripes (13, seven red alternating with six white) represent the original 13 colonies and the stars in the union represent the 50 states. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, the white stands for purity and innocence, and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
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patriotic flags

On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act for an official flag to be made. The act stated ‘The flag of the United States will be 13 stripes, alternating red and white, the union will be 13 stars, white in a blue field.’ On August 3rd, 1949, President Harry Truman declared June 14th to be known as Flag day.

Between 1777 and 1960, the Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design, and arrangement of the flag, allowing stars to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.
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patriotic flags

The origin of the very first American flag is unknown. Some historians believe it was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross.

On September 4th, 1814, amateur poet Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight of the American flag still flying after a British bombardment and he wrote ‘The Star Spangled Banner’, which became our official national anthem in 1931.
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patriotic flags

The American flag is usually displayed from sunrise to sunset, although it is acceptable to fly it at night with appropriate light set ups. In bad weather, the flag should not be flown at all. It should also be displayed in or near every polling place on election days as well.

When displaying the United States flag flat against a wall or window, the union field of stars should always be in the uppermost left corner. The American flag should also never touch the ground. During a ceremony where it is being raised or lowered, everyone except those in uniform should face the flag with their right hand over their heart.
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patriotic flags

Did you know?….

After a tragedy like the event that happened on September 11th, 2001 or a death like Abraham Lincoln’s, the flag should be flown at half staff for 30 days to represent the whole nation being in a state of mourning.

In 1909, Robert Peary placed an American flag sewn by his wife at the North Pole. He also left pieces of another United States’ flag along the way, making it the only time a person was honored for cutting our flag.

In 1963, Barry Bishop placed the flag on the top of Mount Everest. In July of 1969, the American flag was flown in space when Neil Armstrong placed in on the moon.

Here at Cedar Sense…

We pride ourselves in being an American company in rural USA.
We are a small business that stands for everything America is about.
We strive to create opportunity in areas where it is most needed.
We want to make our small town community a better place, one American flag at a time.

More From Cedar Sense

If you liked learning about the history of the American flag, you’ll love our handcrafted wooden American flags and the history behind the German flag!

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FAQs

Why is it disrespectful to put the American flag on the ground?
The reason for this provision is to respect the American flag and everything for which it stands, while also protecting the American flag from damage. If the American flag hangs so low on a flagpole that it touches the ground, it will likely accumulate dirt.

Do you have to burn a flag if it touches the ground?
Care should be exercised in the handling of the flag, to protect it from becoming soiled or damaged. However, you are not required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground.

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