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Our Flag
Introduction
During the night of September 13, 1814, the British fleet bombarded Fort McHenry in the harbor at Baltimore, Maryland. Francis Scott Key, a 34-year old lawyer-poet, watched the attack from the deck of a British prisoner-exchange ship. He had gone to seek the release of a friend but they were refused permission to go ashore until after the attack had been made. As the battle ceased on the following morning, Key turned his telescope to the fort and saw that the American flag was still waving. The sight so inspired him that he pulled a letter from his pocket and began to write the poem which eventually was adopted as the national anthem of the United States--"The Star Spangled Banner." Key was returned to Baltimore and later that day took a room at a Baltimore tavern where he completed the poem. Years later, Key told a hometown audience in Frederick, Maryland:
"I saw the flag of my country waving over a city-the strength and pride of my native State-a city devoted to plunder and desolation by its assailants. I witnessed the preparation for its assaults. I saw the array of its enemies as they advanced to the attack. I heard the sound of battle; the noise of the conflict fell upon my listening ear, and told me that 'the brave and the free' had met the invaders."
The joint Committee on Printing is pleased to present the latest edition of Our Flag. This Congressional publication briefly describes the history of the flag, and sets forth the practices and observances appropriate to its display. The Committee hopes that this document will be both useful and informative to its audience.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Joint Committee on Printing extends thanks and appreciation to the individuals and organizations that contributed their knowledge to this booklet.
"Let the praise, then, if any be due, be given, not to me, who only did what I could not help doing, not to the writer, but to the inspirers of the song!"
-Francis Scott Key
THE HISTORY OF THE STARS AND STRIPES
The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The resolution read:
"Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation. "
The resolution gave no instruction as to how many points the stars should have, nor how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. Consequently, some flags had stars scattered on the blue field without any specific design, some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle. The first Navy Stars and Stripes had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other Stars and Stripes flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five and four. Some stars had six points while others had eight.
Strong evidence indicates that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was responsible for the stars in the U.S. flag. At the time that the flag resolution was adopted, Hopkinson was the Chairman of the Continental Navy Board's Middle Department. Hopkinson also helped design other devices for the Government including the Great Seal of the United States. For his services, Hopkinson submitted a letter to the Continental Admiralty Board asking "whether a Quarter Cask of the public Wine will not be a proper & reasonable Reward for these Labours of Fancy and a suitable Encouragement to future Exertions of a like Nature." His request was turned down since the Congress regarded him as a public servant.
AN EARLY STARS AND STRIPES
"Graphic omitted"
During the Revolutionary War, several patriots made flags for our new Nation. Among them were Cornelia Bridges, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, and Rebecca Young, all of Pennsylvania, and John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland. Although Betsy Ross, the best known of these persons, made flags for 50 years, there is no proof that she made the first Stars and Stripes. It is known that she made flags for the Pennsylvania State Navy in 1777. The flag popularly known as the "Betsy Ross flag," which arranged the stars in a circle, did not appear until the early 1790's.
The claims of Betsy Ross were first brought to the attention of the public in 1870 by one of her grandsons, William J. Canby. In a paper he read before the meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Canby stated:
"It is not tradition, it is report from the lips of the principal participator in the transaction, directly told not to one or two, but a dozen or more living witnesses, of which I myself am one, though but a little boy when I heard it. . . . Colonel Ross with Robert Morris and General Washington, called on Mrs. Ross and told her they were a committee of Congress, and wanted her to make a flag from the drawing, a rough one, which, upon her suggestions, was redrawn by General Washington in pencil in her back parlor. This was prior to the Declaration of Independence. I fix the date to be during Washington's visit to Congress from New York in June, 1776 when he came to confer upon the affairs of the Army, the flag being no doubt, one of these affairs."
THE GRAND UNION FLAG
"Graphic omitted"
The first flag of the colonists to have any resemblance to the present Stars and Stripes was the Grand Union Flag, sometimes referred to as the Congress Colors, the First Navy Ensign, and the Cambridge Flag. Its design consisted of 13 stripes, alternately red and white, representing the Thirteen Colonies, with a blue field in the upper left-hand corner bearing the red cross of St. George of England with the white cross of St. Andrew of Scotland. As the flag of the revolution it was used on many occasions. It was first flown by the ships of the Colonial Fleet on the Delaware River. On December 3, 1775, it was raised aboard Captain Esek Hopkin's flagship Alfred by John Paul Jones, then a Navy lieutenant. Later the flag was raised on the liberty pole at Prospect Hill, which was near George Washington's headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was our unofficial national flag on July 4, 1776, Independence Day; and it remained the unofficial national flag and ensign of the Navy until June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes.
Interestingly, the Grand Union Flag also was the standard of the British East India Company. It was only by degrees that the Union Flag of Great Britain was discarded. The final breach between the Colonies and Great Britain brought about the removal of the British Union from the canton of our striped flag and the substitution of stars on a blue field.
FIFTEEN STARS AND STRIPES
"Graphic omitted"
When two new States were admitted to the Union (Kentucky and Vermont), a resolution was adopted in January of 1794, expanding the flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes. This flag was the official flag of our country from 1795 to 1818, and was prominent in many historic events. It inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the bombardment of Fort McHenry; it was the first flag to be flown over a fortress of the Old World when American Marine and Naval forces raised it above the pirate stronghold in Tripoli on April 27, 1805; it was the ensign of American forces in the Battle of Lake Erie in September of 1813; and it was flown by General Jackson in New Orleans in January of 1815.
However, realizing that the flag would become unwieldy with a stripe for each new State, Capt. Samuel C. Reid, USN, suggested to Congress that the stripes remain 13 in number to represent the Thirteen Colonies, and that a star be added to the blue field for each new State coming into the Union. Accordingly, on April 4, 1818, President Monroe accepted a bill requiring that the flag of the United States have a union of 20 stars, white on a blue field, and that upon admission of each new State into the Union one star be added to the union of the flag on the fourth of July following its date of admission. The 13 alternating red and white stripes would remain unchanged. This act succeeded in prescribing the basic design of the flag, while assuring that the growth of the Nation would be properly symbolized.
Eventually, the growth of the country resulted in a flag with 48 stars upon the admission of Arizona and New Mexico in 1912. Alaska added a 49th in 1959, and Hawaii a 50th star in 1960. With the 50-star flag came a new design and arrangement of the stars in the union, a requirement met by President Eisenhower in Executive Order No. 10834, issued August 21, 1959. To conform with this, a national banner with 50 stars became the official flag of the United States. The flag was raised for the first time at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, 1960, at the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland.
Traditionally a symbol of liberty, the American flag has carried the message of freedom to many parts of the world. Sometimes the same flag that was flying at a crucial moment in our history has been flown again in another place to symbolize continuity in our struggles for the cause of liberty.
One of the most memorable is the flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. This same flag was raised again on December 8 when war was declared on Japan, and three days later at the time of the declaration of war against Germany and Italy. President Roosevelt called it the "flag of liberation" and carried it with him to the Casablanca Conference and on other historic occasions. It flew from the mast of the U.S.S. Missouri during the formal Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945.
Another historic flag is the one that flew over Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It also was present at the United Nations Charter meeting in San Francisco, California, and was used at the Big Three Conference at Potsdam, Germany. This same flag flew over the White House on August 14, 1945, when the Japanese accepted surrender terms.
"Graphic omitted"
Following the War of 1812, a great wave of nationalistic spirit spread throughout the country; the infant Republic had successfully defied the might of an empire. As this spirit spread, the Stars and Stripes became a symbol of sovereignty. The homage paid that banner is best expressed by what the gifted men of later generations wrote concerning it. The writer Henry Ward Beecher said:
"A
thoughtful mind when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation
itself. And whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the
flag, the government, the principles, the truths, the history that belongs to
the nation that sets it forth. The American flag has been a symbol of Liberty
and men rejoiced in it.
"The stars
upon it were like the bright morning stars of God, and the stripes upon it were
beams of morning light. As at early dawn the stars shine forth even while it
grows light, and then as the sun advances that light breaks into banks and
streaming lines of color, the glowing red and intense white striving together,
and ribbing the horizon with bars effulgent, so, on the American flag, stars
and beams of many-colored light shine out together . . . ."
In a 1917 Flag Day message, President Wilson said:
"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us-speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it. "We celebrate the day of its birth; and from its birth until now it has witnessed a great history, has floated on high the symbol of great events, of a great plan of life worked out by a great people.... "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way in this day of high resolution when every principle we hold dearest is to be vindicated and made secure for the salvation of the nation. We are ready to plead at the bar of history, and our flag shall wear a new luster. Once more we shall make good with our lives and fortunes the great faith to which we were born, and a new glory shall shine in the face of our people."
EARLY AMERICAN FLAGS
Archeological digs in northern India, dating around 3,500 B.C., have uncovered a seal, used to sign documents. The seal shows a procession of seven men carrying square standards, held aloft on poles like modem flags. While these ancient flags were rigid, like boards, and not made of cloth as modern flags are, they provided ample testimony that heraldry and the displaying of banners dated to the earliest civilizations.
In American history, the Vikings carried a flag which bore a black raven on a field of white. In 1492 Columbus sailed to our shores with his three small ships displaying the Spanish flag bearing two red lions on two white fields and two yellow castles on two red fields. The Dutch brought their own striped flags when they settled in New Amsterdam, which we now call New York, and pioneers from other nations also brought along the standards of their countries when they settled on our shores.
It is only natural, therefore, that America should create colonial flags as soon as the first colonists settled. Given the disparate array of settlers, it is not surprising that a wide variety of flags was created. The first flags adopted by our colonial forebears were symbolic of their struggles with the wilderness of the new land. Beavers, pine trees, rattlesnakes, anchors and various other insignia were affixed to different banners with mottoes such as "Hope," "Liberty," "Appeal to Heaven," or "Don't Tread on Me."
In the early days of the Revolution, there were colonial and regimental flags by the score. The Boston Liberty flag, consisting of nine alternate red and white horizontal stripes, flew over the Liberty Tree, a fine old elm in Hanover Square in Boston, where the Sons of Liberty met. Still another was a white flag with a green pine tree and the inscription, "An Appeal to Heaven." This particular flag became familiar on the seas as the ensign of the cruisers commissioned by General Washington, and was noted by many English newspapers of the time.
Flags with a rattlesnake theme also gained increasing prestige with colonists. The slogan "Don't Tread on Me" almost invariably appeared on rattlesnake flags. A flag of this type was the standard of the South Carolina Navy. Another, the Gadsden flag, consisted of a yellow field with a rattlesnake in a spiral coil, poised to strike, in the center. Below the snake was the motto, "Don't Tread on Me." Similar was the Culpepper flag, banner of the Minutemen of Culpepper (now spelled Culpeper) County, Virginia. It consisted of a white field with -a rattlesnake in a spiral coil in the center. Above the rattlesnake was the legend "The Culpepper Minute Men" and below, the motto, "Liberty or Death" as well as "Don't Tread on Me."
In December of 1775, an anonymous Philadelphia correspondent wrote to Bradford's Pennsylvania journal concerning the symbolic use of the snake. He began the letter by saying:
"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness that of any
other animal, and that she has no eye-lids. She may, therefore, be esteemed an
emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever
surrenders. She is, therefore, an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.
It was probably the deadly bite of
the rattler, however, which was foremost in the minds of its designers, and the
threatening slogan "Don't Tread on Me" added further significance to the
design. The Moultrie flag was the first
distinctive American flag displayed in the South. It flew over the ramparts of
the fort on Sullivan's Island, which lies in the channel leading to Charleston,
South Carolina, when the British fleet attacked on June 28, 1776. The British
ships bombarded the fort for 10 hours. But the garrison, consisting of some 375
regulars -and a few militia, under the command of Col. William Moultrie, put up
such a gallant defense that the British were forced to withdraw under cover of
darkness. This victory saved the southern Colonies from invasion for another
two years. The flag was blue, as were the uniforms of the men of the garrison,
and it bore a white crescent in the upper corner next to the staff, like the
silver crescents the men wore on their caps, inscribed with the words "Liberty
or Death." The Maritime Colony of Rhode
Island had its own flag, which was carried at Brandywine, Trenton, and
Yorktown. It bore an anchor, 13 stars, and the word "Hope." Its white stars in
a blue field are believed by many to have influenced the design of our national
flag. The Army preferred its regimental
flags on the battlefield instead of the Stars and Stripes. A popular form of
the U.S. flag that was used in battle had the obverse (front) of the Great Seal
in the canton. The Army also used the Stars and Stripes with 13 stars in a
circle. The Stars and Stripes was officially used in Army artillery units in
1834, and in infantry units in 1842. HISTORICAL FLAGS "Graphic omitted" FORT MOULTRIE South Carolinians defending Fort
Moultrie in Charleston Harbor in 1776 raised one of the earliest flags of
American liberty. The silver crescent appeared as a badge worn on their caps.
The cause for which they fought-liberty-was emblazoned on the
crescent. "Graphic omitted" GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS General John Stark of New
Hampshire commanded a militia brigade known as the "Green Mountain Boys.'
Tradition relates that its green flag was flown at the Battle of Bennington on
August 16, 1777. As in many American flags, the stars here were arranged in an
arbitrary fashion. Nevertheless they signified the unity of the Thirteen
Colonies in their struggle for independence. "Graphic omitted" RHODE ISLAND REGIMENT The State flags of America found
their earliest forms during the Revolutionary War. The starry canton in the
flag of the Rhode Island Regiment symbolized national unity, but the white
field corresponded to the uniform of the State troops. The anchor symbol and
motto which completed the design had been used for more than a century. The
original flag may be found in the State House in Providence. "Graphic omitted" COMMODORE PERRY'S FLAG During the War of 1812 Captain
James Lawrence of the Chesapeake encouraged his men, as he lay
dying by exhorting "Don't Give Up the Ship." Three months later at
the Battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Perry emblazoned these words on
a flag which carried him to victory. Similar flags and mottoes have
inspired Americans throughout our two centuries of existence. "Graphic omitted" BENNINGTON FLAG Originally believed to have been
carried during the Revolution, this flag is now seen as having probably been
made for the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1826. Its
design is typical of the exuberant artistic expressions found in flags of the
19th century. "Graphic omitted" CAVALRY GUIDON During the Civil War a special
version of the United States flag-with swallowtail and stars of gold instead of
white-was carried by the cavalry. General Custer and others used the flag in
succeeding decades in the West. THE FLAG TODAY The flag of the United States of
America has 13 horizontal stripes--7 red and 6 white--the red and white stripes
alternating and a union which consists of white stars of 5 points on a blue
field placed in the upper quarter next to the staff and extending to the lower
edge of the fourth red stripe from the top. The number o stars equals the
number of States in the Union. The proportions o the flag as prescribed by
Executive Order of President Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, are as
follows: Hoist (width) of flag..................1.0
FLAG ANATOMY FLAG LAWS AND REGULATIONS The laws relating to the flag of
the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code.
Title 4, Chapter 1 pertains to the flag and seal, seat of Government and the
States; Title 18, Chapter 33 pertains to crimes and criminal procedures; Title
36, Chapter 10 pertains to patriotic customs and observances. These laws were
supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential
Proclamations. Title 36, Chapter 10 PATRIOTIC
CUSTOMS §171. National anthem; Star-Spangled
Banner, conduct during playing During rendition of the national anthem when the flag
is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention
facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should
remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military
salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last
note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the
music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
§172. Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery The Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag 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.", should be
rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right
hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their
headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain
silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. §173. Display and Use
of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs;
definition The following codification of
existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the
United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or
civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with
regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government
of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purpose of this
chapter shall be defined according to Title 4, United States Code, chapter 1,
section 1 and section 2 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.
§174. Time and occasions for
display (a) It is the universal custom to display the flag
only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the
open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed
twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of
darkness. "Graphics omitted" §175. Position and manner of
display The flag, when carried in a procession with
another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the
flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center
of that line. (a) The flag should not be displayed on a float
in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this
section. (b) The flag should not be draped over the
hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When
the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the
chassis or clamped to the right fender. (c) No other flag or pennant should be placed
above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States
of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea,
when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for
the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United
Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a
position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the
United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or
possession thereof. Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful
the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of
the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other
national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag
of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations. (d) The flag of the United States of America,
when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs,
should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front
of the staff of the other flag. (e) The flag of the United States of America should be at
the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of
States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from
staffs. (f) When flags of States, cities, or
localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the
flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the
flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be
hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the
flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right. (g) When flags of two or more
nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same
height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage
forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in
time of peace. When the flag is suspended over a
sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the
sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the
building. (i) When displayed either
horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to
the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a
window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue
field to the left of the observer in the street. (j) When the flag is displayed over the
middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the
north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south
street. (k) When used on a speaker's platform,
the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the
United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in
advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or
speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be
placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the
audience. (l) The flag should form a distinctive
feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never
be used as the covering for the statue or monument. (m) The flag, when flown at half-staff,
should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the
half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is
lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff
until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the
President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal
figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory,
or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death
of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at
half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance
with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of
the death of a present or former official of the government of any State,
territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State,
territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at
half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of
the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice
President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States,
or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until
interment of an Associate justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an
executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a
State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day
for a Member of Congress. As used in this subsection (1) the term "half-staff" means the
position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and
bottom of the staff; (2) the term "executive or military
department" means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5,
United States Code; and (3) the term "Member of Congress" means a
Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto
Rico. (n) When the flag is used to
cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over
the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to
touch the ground. (o) When the flag is suspended across
a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main
entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union
of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the
building has more than one main entrance, the flag should
be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or
lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to
the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the
north and south. If there are entrances in more than two
directions, the union should be to the east. §176. Respect for the
Flag No disrespect should be shown to the flag of
the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or
thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags
are to be dipped as a mark of honor. (a) The flag should never be displayed with the
union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger
to life or property. (b) The flag should never touch anything
beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or
merchandise. (c) The flag should never be carried flat or
horizontally, but always aloft and free. (d) The flag should never be used as wearing
apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up,
in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red,
always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red
below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the
platform, and for decoration in general. (e) The flag should never be fastened,
displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged in any way. (f) The flag should never be used as a
covering for a ceiling. (g) The flag should never have placed upon it,
nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word,
figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature. (h) The flag should never be used as a
receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. (i) The flag should never be used for
advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on
such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise
impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary
use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard
from which the flag is flown. j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a
costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the
uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic
organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a
living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on
the left lapel near the heart. (k) The flag, when it is in such condition that
it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a
dignified way, preferably by burning. §177. Conduct during
hoisting, lowering or passing of flag During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the
flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present
except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the
right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military
salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right
hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens
should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be
rendered at the moment the flag passes. §178. Modification of
rules and customs by President Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of
the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered,
modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be
prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States,
whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or
additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation. FLAG PRESENTATION Presentation of the flag during a ceremony
should be preceded by a brief talk emphasizing the importance of the occasion.
Following the presentation all present should salute the flag, recite the
pledge of allegiance, and sing the national anthem. FOLDING THE FLAG CARE OF YOUR FLAG The life of your flag depends on your care.
Dirt can cut fabrics, dull colors, and cause wear. Most outdoor flags can be
washed in mild detergent and thoroughly rinsed. Indoor and parade flags should
be dry-cleaned. Many dry cleaners offer free cleaning of U.S. flags during the
months of June and July. Damaged flags can be repaired and utilized as long as
the overall dimensions are not noticeably altered. American Legion Posts and
local governments often have facilities to dispose of unserviceable flags.
Store your flags in a well ventilated area away from any harsh chemicals or
cleaning compounds. If your flag gets wet, never store it until it is
completely dry. Wet folds cause permanent creases. Dampness ruins fabric and
causes mildew. Pole care is also related to flag care. Rust and scale cause
permanent stains and some metallic oxides actually eat holes in
fabric. SIZES OF FLAGS The size of the flag is determined by the
exposed height of the flagpole from which it is flying. The only consideration
is for the flag to be in proper proportion to its pole. Flags which fly from
angled poles on homes and those which are displayed on standing poles in
offices and other indoor displays are usually either 3' x 5' or 4' x 6'. Color
guards usually carry flags measuring 4' x 6'. Other recommended sizes are shown
in the following table: FLAGS AT THE UNITED STATES
CAPITOL No record has been found for the earliest date
the flag was flown over the east and west fronts of the Capitol. Early
engravings and lithographs in the office of the Architect of the Capitol show
flags flying on either side of the original low dome above the corridors
connecting the areas now known as Statuary Hall and the Old Senate
Chamber. After the addition of the new House and Senate
wings in the 1850s, even before the great dome was completed in 1863,
photographs of the period show flags flying over each new wing and the central
east and west fronts. The custom of flying the flags 24 hours a day
over the east and west fronts was begun during World War I. This was done in
response to requests received from all over the country urging that the flag of
the United States be flown continuously over the public buildings in
Washington, DC. The east and west front flags, which are 8 x 12
feet, are replaced by new ones when they become worn and unfit for further use.
Prior to machine-made flags, individuals were hired by the Congress to handsew
these flags. Presidential proclamations and laws authorize
the display of the flag 24 hours a day at the following places: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic
Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No. 2795, July 2, 1948).
Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets,
Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954). United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima),
Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No. 3418, June 12, 1961).
On the Green of the Town of Lexington,
Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965). The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential
Proclamation No. 4000, September 4, 1970). Washington Monument, Washington, DC.
(Presidential Proclamation No. 4064, July 6, 1971, effective July 4, 1971).
Fifty flags of the United States are displayed
at the Washington Monument continuously. United States Customs Ports of Entry
which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No. 413 1, May 5, 1972).
Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley
Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July
4,1975). Many other places fly the flag at night as a
patriotic gesture by custom. HOW TO OBTAIN A FLAG
FLOWN OVER THE CAPITOL Constituents may arrange to purchase flags that
have been flown over the Capitol by getting in touch with their Senators or
Representative. A certificate signed by the Architect of the Capitol
accompanies each flag. Flags are available for purchase in sizes of 3' x 5' or
5' x 8' in fabrics of cotton and nylon. AMERICAN WAR MOTHERS FLAG The American War Mothers is a national
organization chartered by Congress with its headquarters in Washington, DC. Its
members are mothers whose sons and daughters have served or who are serving in
the Armed Forces. Its objective is to aid the serviceman or veteran and his
family, including those who are hospitalized. According to records in the Office of the
Architect of the U.S. Capitol, the American War Mothers flag was purchased by
them and first flown over the U.S. Capitol, always below the American flag, on
Armistice Day, November 11, 1926. The authority for flying that flag over the
U.S. Capitol on this occasion and in subsequent years has been granted annually
by written permission of the Vice President and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Provision for the ceremony was further
recognized when the flagpole on the east front, after the extension of 1960,
was installed with two halyards. Traditionally the flag has been raised at 11
minutes after 11 a.m. by a detail from the Capitol Police . The flag flies
until sundown, although originally it flew only for three hours. A bugler
selected from one of the armed services plays taps. Brief memorial services are
held in connection with the ceremony. These services have been accommodated on
the east and west front steps or in Statuary Hall and permission to hold them
is generally granted in the same letter that permits the flag to be flown.
The act of July 1, 1882, regulating the use of
the Capitol Grounds vests the Vice President and the Speaker with the authority
to grant this privilege. The American War Mothers flag is kept in a
safe at the U.S. Capitol. The present flag, first used in 1970, replaced the
original woolen flag of 1926. It is of a synthetic fabric, 47 x 72 inches in
size, consisting of a white field with a red border 11 inches wide. At the top
is an 11-inch blue star for the 4,695,039 who served in World War I. These
figures are 2 1/2 inches in blue. Across the center in 4-inch letters are the
words "United States Service Flag." Below is an 11-inch gold star for the
60,672 who gave their lives. These figures are 21/2 inches high in gold.
HOW TO OBTAIN A BURIAL FLAG FOR A
VETERAN Any honorably discharged veteran
is entitled to a burial flag. The funeral director, as part of the services,
will make the necessary arrangements for the family on behalf of the veteran.
The flag may be used to cover the casket and it is presented to the family as a
keepsake. The local office of the Department of Veterans' Affairs can also
provide information on the procedure for obtaining a flag for a deceased
veteran. A 12 by IS foot flag flies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 24 hours a
day. The flagpole is located just a few feet from the statute of the "Three
Servicemen" and near the walkway leading to the Memorial walls. The base of the
flagpole has an inscription and the emblem of the five U.S. military services,
and was designed to be placed for public viewing. "Graphic omitted" A 12 by IS foot flag flies at the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial 24 hours a day. The flagpole is located just a few
feet from the statute of the "Three Servicemen" and near the walkway leading to
the Memorial walls. The base of the flagpole has an inscription and the emblem
of the five U.S. military services, and was designed to be placed for public
viewing. Flags of States and
Territories (Graphics omitted) Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Entered the Union in 1816 as the 19th State; flag adopted
in 1917. The outer ring of stars is for the original States, the inner ring for
those up to and including Indiana. Enlightenment and liberty spreading
throughout the land are represented by the torch and rays. Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the
sixth State; flag adopted in 1908, modified in 1971. The State
motto translates "This Hand Opposed to Tyrants Searches, with the
Sword, for Peaceful Conditions Under Liberty." The star indicated
Statehood while the Native American was a Massachusetts symbol as
early as 1629. Michigan Minnesota
Entered the Union in 1858 as the 32nd State;
flag adopted 1957. A scene from pioneer life appears in the State
seal together with the motto "The North Star." The nineteen stars
indicate Minnesota's rank in Statehood, following the original
thirteen States. Mississippi Entered the Union in 1817 as the 20th States;
flag adopted in 1894. The State flag is a combination of two
Confederate flags--the Stars and Bars and the Battle Flag, both
including the national colors. Missouri Entered the Union in 1821 as the 24th State;
flag adopted in 1913. On a background of the national colors appear
the Missouri arms framed by stars indicating its order of
Statehood. The Latin motto means "Let the Welfare of the People Be
the Supreme Law." Montana Nebraska
Entered the Union in 1867 as the 37th State;
flag adopted in 1925. Included in the State seal are the Rocky
Mountains, the Missouri River, wheat and corn, a steamboat, a
train, and a blacksmith with his hammer and anvil. Nevada Entered the Union in 1864 as the 36th state;
flag adopted in 1991. Sprigs of sagebrush, the state flower, form a
wreath on Nevada's flag. The silver star symbolizes Nevada's
mineral wealth, and the words "Battle Born" indicate that Nevada
became a state during the Civil War. New Hampshire Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the
ninth state; flag adopted in 1909, modified in 1932. The importance
in New Hampshire of shipbuilding during the Revolutionary War is
suggested by the State seal. The nine stars correspond to New
Hampshire's rank among the States. New Jersey Ratified the Constitution in 1787 as the
third State; flag adopted in 1896. The buff background is for the
uniforms worn by Revolutionary War soldiers from New Jersey. The
coat of arms has the goddesses of liberty and agriculture, as well
as three plows and a horse' s head. New Mexico
Entered the Union in 1912 as the 47th State;
flag adopted in 1925. The red and gold colors of Spain, which once
ruled the area, are combined with an ancient sun symbol of the Zia
tribe of Native Americans in this flag. New York Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the 11th
State; flag adopted in 1901. The coat of arms shows a scene along
the Hudson River, framed by goddesses of liberty and justice. The
American eagle surmounts the world at the top; the motto
"Excelsior" appears below. North Carolina Ratified the Constitution on 1789 as the 12th
State; flag adopted in 1885. The national colors, a star for
Statehood, and the initials of the State are included. The dates
are for the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (May 20, 1775)
and the Halifax Resolves (April 12, 1776). North Dakota Entered the Union in 1889 as the 39th State;
flag adopted in 1911. A military flag with a modified version of
the United States coat of arms was carried by the Dakota
Territorial Guard and later the North Dakota National Guard. The
State flag is a modified version of those banners Ohio Entered the Union in 1803 as the 17th State;
flag adopted in 1902. The only non-rectangular State flag has stars
indicating Ohio's order of Statehood. The red disk and white ring
are for the State tree (the buck-eye) and first letter of the State
name. Oklahoma Entered the Union in 1907 as the 46th State;
flag adopted in 1925, modified in 1941 and 1988. An Osage shield
stands for defense, its small crosses for lofty ideals. The blue
background symbolizes loyalty, while the olive branch and calumet
are for peace. Oregon Entered the Union in 1859 as the 33rd State;
flag adopted in 1925. The ox wagon of pioneers combines with scenes
of nature and symbols of agriculture and shipping. The reverse of
the flag is blue with a gold beaver. Pennsylvania Rhode Island
Ratified the Constitution on 1790 as the 13th
State; flag adopted in 1897. An anchor, traditional symbol of hope,
was first adopted by Rhode Island as a symbol in 1647. Rhode Island
troops in the Revolutionary War carried flags of white with an
anchor and thirteen stars. South Carolina Ratified the Constitution on 1788 as the
eighth State; flag adopted in 1861. Troops defending harbor forts
during the Revolutionary War displayed a blue flag with a white
crescent. The State tree, a palmetto, was added to the flag when
South Carolina proclaimed its independence in 1861. South Dakota Entered the Union in 1889 as the 40th State;
flag adopted in 1963. The State seal is represented against a
sunburst. Its design includes symbols of stock raising, industry,
agriculture commerce, and nature. Tennessee Entered the Union in 1796 as the 16th State;
flag adopted in 1905. The three stars refer to the fact that
Tennessee was the third State to join after the Original Thirteen
and is composed of three geographic regions. The colors are found
in the flags of the United States and of the Confederacy. Texas Entered the Union in 1845 as the 28th State;
flag adopted in 1839. The American origin of the settlers who
revolted against Mexican rule and established the independent
Republic of Texas was reflected in the flags they carried,
including the one which eventually became the State flag of the
"Lone Star State". Utah Entered the Union in 1896 as the 45th State;
flag adopted in 1911, modified in 1913. The beehive symbolizes
industry, while the American eagle and flags stand for loyalty to
the Nation. The early settlers were saved from starvation by eating
the sego lily, now recognized as the State flower. Vermont Entered the Union in 1791 as the 14th State;
flag adopted in 1923. The coat of arms, based on the State seal,
shows a scene from nature with pine tree and mountains. Branches of
pine below commemorate the 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh. Virginia Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the 10th
State, flag adopted in 1861. The Latin motto "Thus Ever to Tyrants"
is reflected in the design of the seal, which shows a woman
subduing a king. Around the edges are vines of the ivy known as
Virginia creeper. Washington
Entered the Union in 1889 as the 42nd State;
flag adopted in 1923, modified in 1967. The "Evergreen State" shows
the color green for the background of its flag, which bears the
State seal. The president for whom the State was name was made part
of the seal in 1889. West Virginia Entered the Union in 1863 as the 35th State;
flag adopted in 1905, modified in 1907 and 1929. The big laurel,
the State flower, frames the shield of the State seal. The hunter
and miner stand over a motto meaning "Mountaineers Are Always
Free." Wisconsin Entered the Union in 1848 as the 30th State;
flag adopted in 1913, modified in 1981. Various symbols of
agriculture, mining, shipping, and industry are found in the coast
of arms of Wisconsin. The badger over the shield is a reference to
the State nickname. Wyoming Entered the Union in 1890 as the 44th State;
flag adopted in 1917. The State seal appears on a silhouette of a
bison, familiar to 19th century settlers. The red is for Native
Americans, white for purity, and blue for the sky, justice, and
loyalty. District of Columbia Established in 1791; flag adopted in 1938.
The personal arms of George Washington form the District flag. It
has no historical relationship to the Stars and Stripes, despite
the similarity of design. American Samoa Unincorporated American territory since 1900;
flag adopted in 1960. Red, white, and blue are the colors of Samoa
and the United States. The American bald eagle holds traditional
Samoan symbols, a staff and war club. Guam Established as a territory of the United
States in 1898; flag adopted in 1917, modified in 1948. The
traditional Chamorro canoe, a palm tree, and the mouth of the Agaņa
River appear in the seal. The shape of the seal recalls the ancient
Guamanian sling stone. Northern Marianas Commonwealth established in 1986; flag
adopted in 1972. Blue is for the Pacific Ocean, the star for the
commonwealth. The grey latte stone is for Taga, a legendary
Chamorro. The Stone and star are surrounded by the traditional
Carolinian mwarr. Puerto Rico
Commonwealth established in 1952; flag
adopted in 1952. Based on the Cuban flag and, ultimately, the Stars
and Stripes, the flag of Puerto Rico was created in 1895 when the
island was seeking independence from Spain. Virgin Islands Established as a territory of the United
States in 1917; flag adopted in 1921. The coat of arms of the
United States has been simplified and stylized for use in the
territorial flag together with the initials of the islands. Many
believe the arrows stand for St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.
FLAG DAY Each year on June 14, we celebrate the
birthday of the Stars and Stripes, which came into being on June
14, 1777. At that time, the Second Continental Congress authorized
a new flag to symbolize the new Nation, the United States of
America. The Stars and Stripes first flew in a Flag
Day celebration in Hartford, Connecticut in 1861, during the first
summer of the Civil War. The first national observance of Flag Day
occurred June 14, 1877, the centennial of the original flag
resolution. By the mid 1890's the observance of Flag Day
on June 14 was a popular event. Mayors and governors began to issue
proclamations in their jurisdictions to celebrate this event.
In the years to follow, public sentiment for
a national Flag Day observance greatly intensified. Numerous
patriotic societies and veterans groups became identified with the
Flag Day movement. Since their main objective was to stimulate
patriotism among the young, schools were the first to become
involved in flag activities. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a
proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on
June 14. It was not until 1949 that Congress made this day a
permanent observance by resolving "That the 14th day of June of
each year is hereby designated as Flag Day . The measure was signed
into law by President Harry Truman. Although Flag Day is not celebrated as a
Federal holiday, Americans everywhere continue to honor the history
and heritage it represents. THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress
passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for
the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the
Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new
Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each
element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings.
The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for the Stars
and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the
Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary
of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal,
stated: "The colors of the pales (the vertical
stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of
America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness &
valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the
stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."
The obverse front of the Great Seal-which is
used 2,000 to 3,000 times a year-authenticates the President's
signature on numerous official documents such as treaty
ratifications, international agreements, appointments of
Ambassadors and civil officers, and communications from the
President to heads of foreign governments. The design of the
obverse of the Seal, which is the U.S. coat of arms, can be shown
on coins, postage stamps, passports, monuments and flags, and in
many other ways. The American public sees both the obverse and less
familiar reverse, which is never used as a seal, every day when
exchanging the $1 dollar bill. The Great Seal die, counter die, press, and
cabinet in which they are housed, are located in the Exhibit Hall
of the Department of State inside a locked glass enclosure. An
officer from the Department's Presidential Appointments Staff does
the actual sealing of documents after the Secretary of State has
countersigned the President's signature. "Graphic omitted" The American bald eagle is prominently
featured supporting a shield composed of 13 red and white stripes
(pales) representing the Thirteen Original States with a blue bar
(chief) uniting the shield and representing Congress. The motto of
the United States, E Pluribus Unum (meaning out of many, one),
refers to this union. The olive branch and 13 arrows grasped by the
eagle allude to peace and war, powers solely vested in the
Congress, and the constellation of stars symbolizes the new Nation
taking its place among the sovereign powers. "Graphic omitted" The pyramid signifies strength and duration: The eye over
it and the motto, Annuit Coeptis (meaning He, [Godj has favored our
undertakings), allude to the many interventions of Providence in favor of the
American cause. The Roman numerals below are the date of the Declaration of
Independence. The words under it, Novus Ordo Seclorum (meaning a new order of
the ages), signify the beginning of the new American era in 1776. FORT McHENRY Fort McHenry is located in Baltimore,
Maryland. This low citadel overlooks the entrance to Baltimore
harbor and it is where the Americans defended the city against
British land and naval attack on September 13-14 in 1814. It was
during this battle that Francis Scott Key began the draft to "The
Star-Spangled Banner" after seeing the flag still flying after a
day and night of bombardment. The fort continued in active military service
for nearly a century after the battle but changing technology
eventually made it obsolete as a coastal defense system. Today the
43-acre fort is preserved as a national monument and historic
shrine. The property is managed by the National Park Service and
the flag is flown over the fort 24 hours a day. "Graphic omitted" THE FLAG HOUSE The Flag House is located on the northwest
corner of Albemarle and Pratt Streets in Baltimore, Maryland. It
was the home of Mary Pickersgill from 1807 to 1857, and it was
where she made the original "Star-Spangled Banner," which measured
30 by 42 feet. The stripes were two feet wide and the stars were
two feet from point to point. Mrs. Pickersgill was paid $405.90 for
her services. The flag was delivered to Fort McHenry on August 19,
1813, a full year before the Battle of Baltimore. In 1876, Caroline Pickersgill Purdy wrote a
letter to Georgiana Armistead Appleton, daughter of the Fort
McHenry Commandant, in which she recounted the details of the
making of the flag. Caroline wrote" "It was made by my mother, Mrs. Mary
Pickersgill, and I assisted her. My grandmother, Rebecca Young,
made the first flag of the Revolution under George Washington's
directions, and for this reason my mother was selected by Commodore
Barney and General Stricker to make this star-spangled banner,
being in exceedingly patriotic woman. This flag, I think, contained
four hundred yards of bunting, and my mother worked many nights
until twelve o'clock to complete it in a given time."
The flag bears the autograph of Lt. Col.
George Armistead as well as the date of the British bombardment.
The flag remained in the Armistead family for many years until it
was loaned to the Smithsonian for an official display in 1907. On
December 19, 1912, it was donated to the Smithsonian where it is
now on permanent exhibit. In 1914, much-needed preservative work
was done on the flag by Mrs. Amelia Fowler and several other
restoration experts. Although the flag was reduced in size in order
to repair it, the reinforcement technique used has preserved its
existence. The Flag House is a National Historic
Landmark, and is operated by an independent non-profit association.
The flag is flown over the house 24 hours a day. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The Pledge of Allegiance received official
recognition by Congress in an Act approved on June 22, 1942.
However, the pledge was first published in 1892 in the Youth's
Companion magazine in Boston, Massachusetts to celebrate the 400th
anniversary of the discovery of America, and was first used in
public schools to celebrate Columbus Day on October 12, 1892. In its original version, the pledge read "my
flag" instead of "the flag of the United States." the change in the
wording was adopted by the National Flag Conference in 1923. The
rationale for the change was that it prevented ambiguity among
foreign-born children and adults who might have the flag of their
native land in mind when reciting the pledge. The phrase "under God" was added to the
pledge by a Congressional act approved on June 14, 1954. At that
time, President Eisenhower said: "in this way we are reaffirming the
transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future;
in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons
which forever will be our country's most powerful resource in peace
and war." The American's Creed The Creed was written in 1918 by William Tyler Page of
Friendship Heights, Maryland in the course of a nationwide contest on the
subject. Page was a descendent of President Tyler, and Representative John Page,
who served in the Congress from 1789-97. William Tyler Page began his government career as a
Congressional page in December of 1881. In 1919, he was elected Clerk of the
House of Representatives, and held that position until December of 1931. a new
post, Emeritus Minority Clerk, was then created for him which he occupied until
his death on October 20, 1942. School Projects The study of the history and symbolism of
flags is known as VEXILLOLOGY from the Latin word, VEXILLUM which
means a square flag or banner. Numerous books have been written about the
flag. Local and school libraries should have a catalog reference
for these books. Also, military and veterans organizations as well
as the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Legion
provide useful information on the flag and flag code. You also can find the complete flag code,
including laws and proclamations in the depository library in your
Congressional district. Your local librarian can assist you in
obtaining information from your nearest depository library.
Fly (length) of flag.....................1.9
Hoist (width) of
union...............0.5385
Fly (length) of union..................0.76
Width of each stripe.................0.0769
Diameter of each
star..............0.0616
"Graphic omitted"
(h) When the flag of the
United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or
at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building,
the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff
unless the flag is at half staff.
Flagpole Height (ft.)
Flag Size (ft.)
20
4 x 6
25
5 x 8
40
6 x 10
50
8 x 12
60
10 x 15
70
12 x 18
90
15 x 25
125
20 x 30
200
30 x 40
250
40 x 50
Entered the Union in 1819 as
the 22nd State; flag adopted in 1895. The diagonal cross and the square shape
of the flag recall the Battle Flag of the Confederacy, organized in February of
1861 in Montgomery, Alabama's capital.
Entered the Union in 1959 as
the 49th State; flag adopted in 1927. Benny Benson, a 13-year-old student,
chose the North Star and the Big Dipper when he designed Alaska's flag in a
territorial school contest. Its colors recall the Alaskan sky and its
gold.
Entered the Union in 1912 as
the 48th State; flag adopted in 1917. Red and yellow are the colors of Spain,
while blue is for the United States and the copper star symbolizes mineral
resources. The rays suggest the setting sun over the desert.
Entered the Union in 1836 as
the 25th State; flag adopted in 1913, modified in 1923 and 1924. Arkansas' rank
in the Union is indicated by the stars which border the diamond, recalling that
it is the only State where minerals are mined. The four stars in the diamond
refer to important aspects of Arkansas history.
Entered the Union in 1850 as the 31st State; flag adopted in 1911, modified in
1953. Americans, in what was then Mexican territory, proclaimed the
independence of California on June 14, 1846. The banner of their "Bear Flag
Republic" was later adopted by the State
Entered the Union in 1876 as the 38th State; flag adopted in 1911, modified in
1964. Yellow and white refer to the mining of gold and silver, while these
colors plus blue are found in the Rocky Mountain columbine, the State flower.
Red is also for the Spanish word for that color -- colorado.
Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the fifth State; flag adopted in 1897. The
grapevines in the coat of arms refer to the three original colonies --
Connecticut, New Haven, and Saybrook. The motto "He Who Brought Us Over Will
Sustain Us," is based on the 80th Psalm.
Ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787, as the first State; flag adopted
in 1913. Revolutionary War uniforms are honored in the blue and buff colors
while commerce (the ship), and agriculture (wheat, corn, ox, farmer) are
featured in the coat of arms.
Entered the Union in 1845 as the 27th State; flag adopted in 1900, modified in
1985. The cross derives from the Confederate Battle Flag. The State seal shows
a Seminole woman, a steamboat, and the State tree -- a sabal palmetto palm.
Ratified the Constitution in 1788, as the fourth State; flag adopted in 1956.
The pillars in the seal are for the three branches of government, defended by
the State military forces. The Battle Flag of the Confederacy recalls Georgia's
Southern heritage.
Entered the Union in 1959 as the 50th State; flag adopted in 1816, modified in
1845. The British Union Jack recalls the one presented to King Kamehameha I in
1793 by Captain George Vancouver. The eight stripes are for the principal
islands of Hawaii.
Entered the Union in 1890 as the 43rd State; flag adopted in 1927. The seal
incorporates symbols of agriculture, mining, forestry, wildlife, and women's
rights. The Latin motto means "May She Last Forever."
Entered the Union in 1818 as the 21st State; flag adopted in 1915, modified in
1970. The central design is from the State seal and shows national symbols plus
dates of Statehood (1818) and the seal itself (1868).Indiana
Entered the Union in 1816 as the 19th State; flag adopted in 1917. The outer
ring of stars is for the original States, the inner ring for those up to and
including Indiana. Enlightenment and liberty spreading throughout the land are
represented by the torch and rays.
Entered the Union in 1846 as the 29th State; flag adopted in 1921. The eagle
and motto ribbon are found in the State seal. The stripes recall the French
Tricolor since Iowa was acquired from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
Entered the Union in 1861 as the 34th State; flag adopted in 1925, modified in
1927 and 1963. A sunflower, the State floral emblem, appears above the State
seal with figures representing pioneer life. The motto means "To the Stars
Through Difficulties."
Entered the Union in 1792 as the 15th State; flag adopted in 1918, modified in
1962. The frontiersman and hunter, representing Kentucky and the original
States, express the meaning of the motto in the seal. The State flower
(goldenrod) frames the design at the bottom.
Entered the Union in 1812 as the 18th State; flag adopted in 1912. In heraldry
a pelican tearing at her breast to feed her young is a symbol of self
sacrifice. Louisiana used this symbol as a territory prior to Statehood.
Entered the Union in 1820 as the 23rd State; flag adopted in 1909. The motto "I
Direct" refers to the North Star, Maine having once been the northernmost
State. Agriculture, shipping, and forestry are symbolized by other elements in
the coat of arms.
Ratified the Constitution in 1788 as the seventh State; flag adopted in 1904.
The coat of arms of the Lords Baltimore unites symbols of the Calvert and
Crossland families. Maryland has used similar flags since at least 1638.
Entered the Union in 1837 as the 26th State; flag adopted in 1911. The national
motto is accompanied in the Michigan arms by the slogans "I Shall Defend" and
"If You Seek a Pleasant Peninsula, Look Around You." An elk, moose, and scenes
from nature are included in the design.
Entered the Union in 1889 as the 41st State; flag adopted in 1905,
modified 1981. The State seal shows the Great Falls of the
Missouri River and tools indicating mining and agriculture. The
motto "Gold and Silver" appears on a ribbon below.
Ratified the Constitution on 1787 as the second State; flag
adopted in 1907. The coat of arms incorporates a ship for commerce
and a plow and wheat sheaves for agriculture. Draft horses, the
American eagle, and the State motto complete the design. "I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG 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."
I THEREFORE BELIEVE IT IS MY DUTY TO MY
COUNTRY TO LOVE IT, TO SUPPORT ITS CONSTITUTION; TO OBEY ITS LAWS; TO RESPECT
ITS FLAG; AND TO DEFEND IT AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.
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