For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity. It's been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. And the American Flag has been a prominent icon in our national history. Here are the highlights of its unique past.
On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington's control. On that New Year's Day the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).
In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.
On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.
When to display the American Flag
The flag should be displayed, from sunrise to sunset,
on all days when the weather permits.
It can also be displayed during the night
as long as the display is lit.
Holidays it should be flown/dispalayed are listed.
New Year's Day, January 1
8 comments:
By contrast we've only had our present Canadian flag since the 1960s. Before that we used a Red Ensign.
How interesting Lucie. You mean people actually go out and take down their flags every night if they don't have a light on it? I had no idea.
Thanks for always putting up something interesting on your blog.
Thanks to all of you for your comments. Thanks to the American Revolution of 1776 we have a good deal of "American" history to celebrate.
As for a light on the flag: some people do not do it though it would be the proper protocol.
Hi Lucie,
This post allows me to share an anecdote which I heard some 30 years ago from the caretaker of the Hillside Armory in Westmount. One of his duties was to raise the flag at 6 AM every morning. Now the rules here in Canada say that if the flag is flown at half mast, it must first be fully raised, and then lowered to half mast. Now one of the armory's neighbors filed a complaint with the Canadian army to the effect that this caretaker was not raising the flag fully first, but only raising it half-way. Can you imagine - here is this neighbor who has nothing better to do at 6 AM than to watch the flag being raised at the nearby armory. And then she files a complaint. What a waste of everybody's time.
Have a good day.
Maurice
Thank you for following my blog, Flipside. I have enjoyed your Flag Day post and the graphic. Is that an old postcard?
Hi lindalee.
It is an old poster.
Thank you for your post and Maurice also. Interesting what people will do. ;o)
Bonjour Maurice and everyone,
If you're interested in flags you may enjoy this postcard of various British ensigns including Canada's:
http://acanadianfamily.com/2009/06/04/vintage-postcard-united-we-stand-british-empire-ensigns/
Evelyn in Montreal
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