The Meaning and History of the American Flag and Why We Honor It

Angela loves history and feels it is essential to our future to know the past—or else we're destined to repeat it.

First Flag of the United States

USA Flag History

We all know that the 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and that the stripes represent the original 13 colonies. We also know that Betsy Ross made the first flag. But did you know that George Washington commissioned her to make it after a few other men or that Washington first drew on a piece of parchment what they wanted? Betsy Ross wasn't thrilled to take on this responsibility, and her initial response was, "I don't know, but I can try." Here are more facts that you probably did not know about the stars, the stripes, the colors, the folds, and the meaning behind it all.

Stars on the United States Flag

Throughout history, the number of stars on the flag has changed. As each state joined the United States of America, another star was added. On July 4, 1960, Hawaii was the final star that completed the flag that we know today.

The shape of the star chosen to represent each state was a different decision. Before the end of the 18th century, six, seven, and eight-pointed stars were more commonplace than the five-pointed star. Some speculate that the five-pointed star was chosen to further separate the United States from Europe. Another theory is that Betsy Ross came up with the five-pointed star because it was easier to do with one scissors snip than a six-pointed star. No one knows for sure, but the five-pointed star was an unprecedented decision that allows our flag to be that much more special to Americans.

How Many Stars Were on the Flag?

Stripes on the American Flag

The 13 stripes on each flag are always seven red and six white. Before 1916, there was no consistency about whether the flag had six or seven red stripes. No one knows for sure if there is a reason they chose seven red stripes. However, some may wonder if it had anything to do with keeping the flag's edges clean since white shows dirt more efficiently than red: not a very patriotic reason, but a very logical answer.

As for the stripes themselves, they stand for the first 13 colonies. They include:

• Virginia (1607)
• New Jersey (1618)
• Massachusetts (1620)
• New Hampshire (1622)
• Pennsylvania (1623)
• New York (1624)
• Maryland (1634)
• Connecticut (1635)
• Rhode Island (1636)
• Delaware (1638)
• North Carolina (1653)
• South Carolina (1670)
• Georgia (1733)

Colors of the Flag

Our founding fathers deliberately chose the colors on the flag to represent a theme that they felt was essential to the building of our nation.

• Red stands for courage, hardiness, and bloodshed. Courage because our country separated from what we once knew, we started over, we fought for our freedom. Hardiness because our founding fathers believed our country would outlast the land we came from. And finally, bloodshed to honor all those who lost their lives for our freedom and country.
• White stands for purity and vigilance, purity because our country is independent and not corrupted by any other country. Vigilance because our country needs to be alert and careful in our choices.
• Blue stands for justice and perseverance, justice because it is the basis of our country, and perseverance because although our nation is young, we will stand firm against all opposition.

Why We Honor the American Flag

One of the main reasons we honor the flag is to respect our country and the liberties that we enjoy here, which means paying respects to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

One of the most symbolic ways we pay respects is during the funerals for our police and military. It became ritual to cover the casket of a deceased public official or Armed Forces member in the 1700s during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, the tradition reminds funeral-goers of the dead's commitment and sacrifice.

According to Today, there are three ways that the American flag is displayed during a decedent's burial:

• Closed casket: the flag should be arranged on the casket with the union blue field at the head and over the deceased's left shoulder.
• Half couch (open): the flag should be placed in three layers so that the union is the top fold by the open part of the casket to the deceased's left.
• Full couch (open): the flag should be folded in the traditional triangular shape and placed in the middle portion of the head panel of the casket cap right above the left shoulder of the deceased.

A flag folded into the traditional triangle can be displayed next to the cremated remains during a service.

Customs for Folding the American Flag

Whenever folding the United States of America's flag, there is a symbol behind each fold and tuck. It is not random but very purposeful, which is one reason why they will fold an American flag at a veteran's funeral.

They always fold the flag to display only the blue and white stars. They do this so that none of the red shows because it stands for bloodshed. We want to remember the person's perseverance and vigilance, not the person's loss.

It is folded in the shape of a triangle to symbolize the hat worn by Revolutionary soldiers. Because of these men, we have our freedom and our rights.

What Does Each Fold in the American Flag Mean?

• Fold One: Symbol of life
• Fold Two: Symbol of belief in eternal life
• Fold Three: Honor and remembrance of veterans
• Fold Four: Symbol of our weaker nature
• Fold Five: Tribute to the United States of America
• Fold Six: Symbol of our hearts and devotion
• Fold Seven: Tribute to the Armed Forces
• Fold Eight: For those who went into the "Valley of the Shadow of Death."
• Fold Nine: Tribute to womanhood and its giving and nurturing nature
• Fold Ten: Tribute to our fathers who gave their sons to protect our land
• Fold Eleven: Dedication to Jews and represents the bottom of the Seal of King David and King Solomon
• Fold Twelve: Represents the Christian and glorifies God.

The American Flag and Tradition

The U.S. National Anthem

The American flag is deeply-rooted in the traditions of our country. It hit a milestone during the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom. During the conflict, poet Francis Scott Key found himself in Baltimore, just as Britain's Royal Navy unleashed an assault on Fort McHenry at the Chesapeake Bay. Key watched the attack from a ship a few miles from the action. When the British left a day later, Key was surprised to observe the flag still waving over the fort. He was inspired to write the "Star-Spangled Banner" as a tribute to what he witnessed. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson declared the song to be played at all national events before it was made the national anthem on March 3, 1931.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Francis Bellamy developed a patriotic program for schools to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' journey to the New World. The pledge was intended to ensure that younger people knew to respect that flag and prevent any more civil conflicts. In its original form, the pledge read:

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Proper Flag Etiquette

The section of law detailing guidelines involving the U.S. flag is called the Flag Codes. Some of the statues include:

1. Never let the flag touch the ground.
2. Not displaying the flag during unpleasant weather conditions.
3. Hoisting the flag energetically and lowering it ceremoniously.
4. Never dip the flag in such a way as to “bow” unless as a duress signal.
5. The flag should never be embroidered, printed, or otherwise for any advertising purposes.
6. Never use the flag as a costume or athletic uniform except for the patch used by military personnel or public servants and officials.
7. Any worn, dirty, or torn flag should not be publicly displayed but privately destroyed.

Flag Day: Celebrating Our Flag's Heritage

The First Flag day was in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution in 1777. Today we celebrate Flag Day with parades, ceremonies, and picnics sponsored by our veterans, schools, and other patriotic programs. The holiday is meant to preserve the honor and pride associated with our first flag, "Old Glory," and the values she stood to uphold.

Works Cited

• Bartiromo, M. Flag Day Facts: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the American Flag. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/real-estate/flag-day-facts-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-american-flag
• Deziel, C. Cherokee Symbols and What They Mean. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_6163988_folds-mean-folding-flag.html
• Jones, J. (2003, November). American Flag, Etiquette, Rules and Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.almanac.com/content/american-flag-etiquette-rules-and-guidelines
• Mooney Jr., E. (2008) Flag Detective. Retrieved from http://www.flagdetective.com/
• Streufert, D. (2005, February 10). Flag Etiquette. Retrieved from http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
• Wyatt, R. (2015, November 13). History of the Stars and Stripes (U.S.) Retrieved from http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-ststr.html
• American Flag: A Patrotic Symbol of Our Nation's Honor & Glory. Retrieved from https://www.flagcases.net/American-Flag-information.php
• The History of the American Flag. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/
• The Man Who Wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-man-who-wrote-the-pledge-of-allegiance-93907224/
• (2009, November 24) Key Pens Star Spangled Banner. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/key-pens-star-spangled-banner
• (2018, October 22). Flag Day. Retrieved from https://www.military.com/flag-day

Questions & Answers

Question: How can I use the American flag as a topic for an essay?

Answer: First you need to decide what kind of essay you are trying to write. Are you trying to write an argumentative one or an explanatory one? What about this article did you find interesting? What caught your eye? What did you disagree with? What did you agree with? What surprised you? There are so many directions you could go when writing an essay about the American flag. It is up to you to decide what message you want to give to your reader. I personally stay away from debates, because I am pacifist by nature, but not by politics. So my writing tends to be expository. It doesn't catch people's attention unless their goal is just education.

Question: How come there are different flags?

Answer: To understand why there are different flags, you need to understand the purpose of flags. In early years, a flag was raised to claim a particular land or ship. It was to notify others that that land/ship belonged to the group or country that flag represents. Flags are also used to show support and promote unity within a group. Since there are many different groups, countries, states, there is a need to symbolize each group through a flag, hence the multitude of flags.

Question: Why should I honor the flag?

Answer: A flag represents either a club, state, or country that you are part of. By respecting it or honoring it, you are saying that you stand behind that club, state, or country and the people who are part of that club, state, or country. You may disagree with some aspect of that club, state, or country, but you are willing to set that aside to show support for the group as a whole.

My guess is your actual question is why Americans should honor the United States flag, as that is the hot topic of the year. I will continue to honor this country as long as it continues to work towards freedom, unity, and love. I believe that, although our country struggles in all three areas, I feel that as a whole our country continues to strive for those three things. I support that idea.

I feel that we need to continue to fight against things that hinder freedom of any group or person, things that cause disunity, or when a group is being treated unfairly, unkindly, etc. Our country, just as the individuals in it, will never be perfect, but I believe we need to continue to strive for success all while showing support for the people the flag represents.

Question: Do you feel it’s right that our professional football players kneel during our national anthem and disrespect our country by doing so and everybody that fought and died for it?

Answer: In our country, we are given the right to do as we please within certain parameters. We have free speech, which means they can be vocal if they are unhappy with something and want to make a statement. This is a silent protest and yet captures people's attention. I believe initially it was to speak out against brutality towards black Americans by police. But unfortunately, the mission is getting lost and less focused, which loses its impact. Too many people had different reasons. I was like "Oh I agree with that, but not that." And therefore, could not join it, since I was not one hundred supportive of all the ideas that were represented by it. Then again, I also noticed some contradicted one another as well.

I am not going to make a judgment call on whether I think it is right to do so. If I felt our country was going down a dark path that harmed people like that of the Holocaust, I would not stand and respect our country at that time. Do I personally agree with the reasons I have heard that some of them are kneeling? If I truly felt that police officers were targeting black Americans across all of the United States than yes, I would agree. I do believe there are police officers who are more racially charged against blacks, but I don't believe that is the norm. I believe that the majority of police officers are unbiased and protect our country as they should. So I do not feel that not standing for the national anthem is the proper way to protest against this particular act. I would rather see protests outside of police stations where there are bigotry and racism. It's not the country as a whole that is the problem. It is small pockets of people who hold onto such erroneous beliefs. Instead of disunity, I would rather see our country trying to speak out by promoting unity. I think purposely choosing to stand next to your teammate of a different race and joining hands in the air during the national anthem would speak louder than kneeling.

Question: Why did they chose stars to represent the states ?

Answer: The honest answer is that no one truly knows for sure, but we do know that the resolution of the Continental Congress in 1777 states "the union [shall] be thirteen stars white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." This statement lies in the midst of resolutions regarding the Navy. The association of sailing and stars may have played a part. Also because the primary reason for a flag is to identify ships, it makes sense that there would be that navigational symbolism.

Question: Why do football players kneel?

Answer: Many chose to kneel because they felt that police officers were showing prejudices against black Americans. Not only were they concerned about the racism, but they also were concerned about the extreme violence that happened to certain black Americans. They felt the treatment was unjust and needed to be addressed.

Question: If I were to not put my hand across my heart for the national anthem towards the flag, because I do not believe the flag stands by certain aspects for which it should, would it be considered disrespectful?

Answer: Many believe that you stand and sing during the national anthem, and you place your hand on your heart for the pledge. Therefore, it is not necessary to place your hand on your heart when you are singing the national anthem. You should take off your hat as a sign of respect.

Regardless of what your views are on how to behave during the national anthem, essentially what you are saying is that you do not respect the flag. You do not believe that it stands for what it claims to stand for; therefore, you do not believe it deserves the respect that others place towards it. So yes, it would be disrespectful, but you also are making a statement about your feelings towards it. Therefore, I do not necessarily believe that one should show respect towards things they do not respect.

That being said, I believe that America should go back to the things that the flag is supposed to represent. Since I want America to represent all those great traits, I will continue to show respect to the flag. Not because I think America is doing a good job of portraying those characteristics, but because I believe we as a nation need to continue to strive for that!

Question: Why is the American flag red, white, and blue rather than green or black?

Answer: It may be because they were using the same colors as the British flag. Although maybe they chose the colors, because of what they wanted the colors to mean. The white was supposed to signify purity and innocence, whereas red was to signify hardiness and valor, while blue was meant to mean vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Question: Do you think that schools should teach history at an early age?

Answer: Definitely, but more important than teaching history, is teaching accurate history. In order to best do that, it is important to teach it from several vantage points and many sources. I believe reading it from various texts rather than a textbook is most effective.

Question: How long should the flag be displayed?

Answer: Generally, it is respectful to only display the flag from sunrise to sunset, unless the flag is being illuminated throughout the night, in which case it can be displayed 24 hours. If the flag is not an all-weather flag, then it should not be displayed while it rains or snows.

Question: Why do the professional football players kneel during our national anthem?

Answer: Many have chosen to do so because they feel that police officers have unfairly targeted black Americans and done unjust violence against them.

Question: What do the stripes mean?

Answer: There is one stripe for each of the original colonies, for a total of 13.

Question: What does the American flag stand for?

Answer: A flag is the representation of a nation. Each person may look at the flag and feel it stands for something different, and it is shaped by how you think about your country, or the country's flag that you are looking at. I feel the American flag stands for freedom, equal rights, hope, opportunity, among just a few. What do you think the flag stands for?

Question: Was purple a choice when the American flag was in the process of being made?

Answer: Though I cannot say this with certainty, I don't believe so. They chose to use red, white, and blue, like so many other countries, because the meaning behind the colors. Purple is often a symbol of royalty, which is something early Americans rejected. More than that, purple is not often used as a symbolic color in national flags in general. The most common colors are red, white, blue, green, yellow, and black.

© 2012 Angela Michelle Schultz

Comments

Buck on July 29, 2020:

Why you should not burn the Flag. The flag has flown and given respect to those that have passed on by. You may hear of other counties burning our flag because they disrespect us. This is False only a handful disrespect others, but if you truly watch and listen to these nations, they look up to us because of our freedoms for which they do not have. Bottom line is that if the flag is withered and torn. Give it to your local VET ORG for they will dispose your flag with dignity and the respect.

Robert on July 14, 2020:

Good work! I was impressed by its quality! Wish you good luck from Russia! :)

Anonymous on July 11, 2020:

Why is it wrong to burn the flag?

Julie Falkner Lunsford on November 10, 2019:

Actually the Plegde of Allegiance was as follows:

"I pledge allegiance to our Flag AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; the Repuic for which it stands...One nation UNDER GOD, indevisible, with liberty and jutice for all."

Whe van thank Michael Newdow for the exclusions.

Nob on September 24, 2019:

Not happy I have a 300 word eserf

Veronica Wolfe on September 02, 2019:

We need to respect our flag and what it stands for.

person on November 06, 2018:

thank you for writing this it help me with a two page essay about the american flag.

pm modi on October 27, 2018:

Indian flag is the bestest

Barack Obama on October 23, 2018:

I love the USA

Ava on October 21, 2018:

What does the American Flag symbolize? I understand freedom and states. But what else specific or un-specific. Thanks in advance.

shaylin on October 18, 2018:

Thank you soooo much for writing this.

unknown on October 18, 2018:

this a very good site for the american flag there is a lot of infomation

Ellie on October 17, 2018:

I love this website because i have a essay to do.

its_me_****** on October 17, 2018:

This country is amazing. #fortnite is dead

Abby on October 17, 2018:

I HATE trump

Donald J Trump on October 11, 2018:

I am very suprised that the blacks kneel which is a disgrace to there contry. I feel they should be fired or docked pay.

LilMurph02 on October 11, 2018:

I think that the players are kneeling because they don't honor the flag which is really stupid

iabella on October 05, 2018:

hi i love this

AUSTIN on September 25, 2018:

awsome job

The Old Dog on September 22, 2018:

What about the American Indians, they were here first and the white and black men took their land, raped, killed their people and nobody helps them. They put them on land that nobody else wants and when they do they put them some where else. These young protesting brats need to grow up and find a job or go home or get out of this country and see what they are messing up. PLEASE GOD HELP THIS COUNTRY BEFORE IT IS TOOO LATE.

Democracy on September 19, 2018:

Wow! Your the exact reason that the players are kneeling. If you bothered to read their story you would know that they are not disrespecting the flag, but honoring what the flag represents. Absolutely clueless about what is going on right under your nose.

javez on September 18, 2018:

is there a black american flag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

U.S.A on September 18, 2018:

this country can’t even honor the flag for its true values what’s the point of having a flag? If you want to honor a Vet then vote policies that don’t throw them out on the street when they do get back for serving. Vote policies that help them get mental health treatment. Do you see how many Vets are out on the streets? Perhaps you all just walk by and ignore that fact. Where the hell is all this so called patriotism when faced with a homeless vet? Oh, but you stand for the flag!! Nothing but a bunch of hypocrisy. God Bless America right? SMH

CK on September 09, 2018:

You stand for the flag to honor those men and women fighting for our Freedom and you praise their service. Yet you criticize those men and women fighting for that very same freedom that supposedly has been fought, yet NOT received. The mere fact that you can even suggest that black men and women are NOT unjustly treated in this country is the very reason they are kneeling. Stop enabling false truths. Blacks are not saying ALL law enforcements are biased. They are pointing out the individual ones that are and the scale is definitely tilted!! So your argument for non support falls on deaf ears. Take yourself to the National Museum of Lynching and open your eyes. White man brought blacks to this country, it was NOT a choice. They forced them into a disgustingly abomination of life and people such such as this "Isalene Jordan" character has got the nerve to say they are trying to make this a “black world”? Give me a break, if that isn’t a bigoted statement than what is?

If this country can’t even honor the flag for its true values what’s the point of having a flag? If you want to honor a Vet then vote policies that don’t throw them out on the street when they do get back for serving. Vote policies that help them get mental health treatment. Do you see how many Vets are out on the streets? Perhaps you all just walk by and ignore that fact. Where the hell is all this so called patriotism when faced with a homeless vet? Oh, but you stand for the flag!! Nothing but a bunch of hypocrisy. God Bless America right? SMH

A Garcia on September 08, 2018:

Our flag represents everything that the so called "kneelers" demand. I do not understand why offend the flag that stands for their rights in order to prove discrimination and oppression by the few that obviously have no respect for our flag and rights either. Do they understand that those that discriminate them are offending their flag even more than them?! Are they joining those that violate their rights, equality and ideals that our flag represent?!!!

I truly do not get it, but as Voltaire said, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” That is Democracy!! That does not mean that it does not hurt me to see my flag, anthem or pledge maligned in any form. Sorry, your right to do so, my right to be in total disagreement.

Isalene Jordan on September 06, 2018:

They are silly people that trying to bring down the world and make it a black world point blank .Pro and con is a writing for what they think not mine . So not standing for they flag is another way of tell your family that has fault for your Freedom .And look at the history that is being taken from you Just because some low life wants to say it`s a race thing. When it has nothing to do with race. So every Vet I will stand for you. Every person that is fighting for our freedom I will stand for you I will teach the people around this also. I will not in any way shape are form will I changes the way I think.

Shakira on June 13, 2018:

This was vary helpful.

Pesce on May 30, 2018:

Correction: The colors of the flag were not “deliberately chosen”. The current flag was developed from the already established “British Red Ensign” which was easy to modify simply by adding white stripes to the existing Red background - it was simple and fast to create to distinguish the colonies from the British.. You can see this development by searching the “British Red Ensign”, then “Grand Union Flag”, then finally “Stars & Stripes”

Stephan Clark on May 26, 2018:

Great Article ...

Robert Merrill, you are absolutely throwing your opinion around and trying to make it fact... it is not and no matter how loud you shout an opinion, it will never be a fact unless it's a true statement.

I'll use a bit of the authors description of colors in my rebuttal.

So... just thought I'd throw out a blab on my position on what some people don't seem to be able to grasp about this "flag" thing.

A lot of people think it's disrespectful that some NFL players have been taking a knee during the anthem.

That argument, being used by many, just doesn't hold water all the way around for several reasons.

It was never about the flag but since a lot of people refuse to get it and want to make it about that instead of the REAL issue, let's just go ahead and let you win and make the argument about the flag and showing disrespect.

Personally, I hate flags and think they should all be burned, as throughout history they have been a symbol of division in the world. But this isn't about me or my beliefs and I don't get to make the rules, nor should I. This is about what YOU chose to make it about. The Flag and disrespect.

So if those who think flags are great don't want to disrespect YOUR flag, then you should at least learn what YOUR Flag stands for from the people who had a countries vision in their foresight and what they wanted the flag to stand for.

Because the GREATEST Form of respect you can have for a piece of cloth is to understand what it stands for and what it does not stand for and HONOR those things, lest you be a disrespectful ingrate inthe eyes of YOUR flag.

A few things it doesn't stand for.

It sure as hell doesn't stand for "forced patriotism".

It sure as hell doesn't stand for "hey use me to make money"

It sure as hell doesn't stand for "hey use me to sucker young men and women into dying to make rich men richer"

What it DOES STAND FOR is ...

Freedom first and foremost (supposedly)

We know the stripes are for the 13 original colonies, that decided to break away by PROTESTING and making their own flag.

We know the stars are for the 50 states. That are only here because of PROTESTING.

As an artist, I appreciate the colors used on flags and often colors are representative of what is displayed for the eye to see. and since they are right in front of everyone's nose that representation should be known and understood if one is going to stand at attention and sing to it. I see them as the most important aspect of a lot of things. Including the flag.

The colors of our Flag were deliberately chosen to represent a theme that our founding fathers felt was important to the building of our nation.

Red stands for courage, hardiness, and bloodshed. Courage because our country is based on the courage of separating from what we once knew, courage of starting over, courage of fighting for our freedom. Hardiness because our founding fathers believed our country will outlast the land that we came from. Finally, blood shed to honor all those who lost their life for our freedom and our country.

White stands for purity and vigilance: purity because our country is independent and is not corrupted by any other country. Vigilance because our country needs to be alert and careful in the choices we make.

Blue stands for justice and perseverance: justice because it is the basis of our country, and perseverance because although our nation is young, we will stand strong against all opposition..

Now lets take the players taking a knee and see how it lines up ..

Red ...

1. Courage, ... when men stand up against oppression it takes courage, ESPECIALLY when it's not them that's being oppressed. These men are taking the risk of losing their livelihood to help OTHER AMERICANS in their plight.

2. Hardiness .... pretty self explanatory ... they had the courage to start this...and they have shown the hardiness to (knee their ground) and not roll over and be pushed around by those who very well understand what this is about but want to put the hammer down and try and make these men look like villains.

3. Bloodshed .... blood has been shed in the name of freedom.

what better way to honor those that lost their lives than to take a knee in front of her flag and FIGHT for the freedom of the oppressed that LIVE in this country they DIED for.

White ...

1. Purity ... there is very little of that left around. But it does exist in our children before we corrupt them. Should we continue to let things be this way or should we work to make things better ?

2. Vigilance ... we must never become complacent and think "this is america the best place in the world" and never look around and realize there is still much to be improved upon. Sometimes we need that guy up on the podium raising his fist, so we ask question of ourselves about our country and does it REALLY hold up the standards it is supposed to? Whatever standards those are, should we not pay attention to disparities in those standards to different groups of citizens ?

Blue ... (this is the one most people should REALLY pay attention too to GRASP the understanding that these players are right in their actions)

1. Justice ... justice because it is the basis of our country. It's probably the NUMBER one thing that gives FREEDOM any meaning at all. For if there is no justice, there is no freedom.

and it's Ironic that these players are most certainly being unjustly vilified for pointing out the injustices to OTHERS by people that CLAIM to be patriots.

2. Perseverance ... perseverance is a good trait. Lots of people can't handle the heat, lots of people I personally know and grew up with sold out their ideals along the way because it was the easy way ... They like to try and fool themselves and appease their consciences by saying things like "We Grew Up" ... No they didn't, they lacked what these players still have ..namely

Courage, Hardiness and the Perseverance to help make a difference is someone else's life, no matter what it cost them.

.. and that my friends, is real Patriotism and the absolute highest form of respect and honor one can extend in front of the flag that's very definition is being ignored by others ...

Show YOUR Flag the respect YOU think it deserves and UNDERSTAND what it stands for and WHY you need to get over your butt hurt and filling my feed with your crying about the players "disrespect" and your drool from cheering on your IGNORANT President that hasn't a clue what YOUR FLAG stands for.

and that's my last speech of the day ... I'm off to do "liberal" things ...have a great Day ! ..:)

Roberta Merrill on May 24, 2018:

By the way , I am the author of my questions.. Why do I feel that even you do not really understand why our countrymen placed our flag in Iwo Jima? We ARE THE UNITED STATES!!!

ARE WE NOT?

Roberta Merrill on May 24, 2018:

Our children do not know. Our flag is a symbol of our United freedom. We stand because we are saying that we will not only stand for our I individual freedom but we stand together to fight and preserve our freedom

We do not stand for any other reason.

To not stand is saying we are giving up that freedom. And if not willing to stand unitedly with us, then they should be shot. They are kneeling to bondage.

charles fuentes on May 16, 2018:

the articale was very intrestng and amazing good job!!

Vegeta on May 08, 2018:

that was AMAZING!!!!!

Tammie on May 03, 2018:

The article was very informative.

JEFF! on April 23, 2018:

I liked the article.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on April 22, 2018:

By the way, I do not share my articles on other people's articles/blogs/websites. If someone shared it on your article/blog/website, it was not me.

Faizaa Moosa on April 19, 2018:

Very informative

Faizaa moosa on January 13, 2018:

Very informative

Hello44 on November 30, 2017:

Angela I liked how you put the states in order!! Keep on making helpful websites! :)

Hello44 on November 13, 2017:

Thanks Angela, this really helped me!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 16, 2017:

Good, how are you? Are you my brother?

jazlyn on October 16, 2017:

amazing

Jiggy J on September 27, 2017:

your good

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on September 27, 2017:

Sorry, I own two businesses, homeschool a teenager, home with a toddler, I don't login all the time to approve comments. By the way, I do stand for our national anthem.

Toodgie ( 2g) on September 26, 2017:

My comment hasn't been posted; did I offend; sometimes the " Truth" offends...please respond...2g

Toodgie (2g) on September 25, 2017:

To honor the American flag, shows all that you "Love" America; The nfl just proved their disrespect; Actions speak louder than words !!! p.s. They just made little rocket man happy...

Bill Lamps on September 25, 2017:

Many of us need to read the meaning of the Star Spangle Banner, and read the meaning what the United States of America Flag. Please work together, and stop bickering.

Shane on September 23, 2017:

This land was taken over from the natives!!! Can you say terrorist!!!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 13, 2017:

I have never heard this.

sajawal on August 13, 2017:

The Fourth of July was generally celebrated as America's birthday, yet the possibility of a yearly day particularly commending the Banner is accepted to have first begun in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a teacher, organized the students in the Fredonia, Wisconsin State funded School, Area 6, to watch June 14 (the 108th commemoration of the official selection of The American Flag) as 'Banner Birthday'. In various magazines and daily paper articles and open locations over the next years, Cigrand proceeded to energetically advocate the recognition of June 14 as 'Banner Birthday', or 'Banner Day'.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on June 12, 2017:

Thank you, I will correct that!

Jobby on June 11, 2017:

Hi Angela, good information as well as Scott updates. I wanted to point out one thing I noticed, Tennessee is misspelled on the 1818-1819 20 stars on the states added. Just FYI

Scott Hall on May 23, 2017:

Several statements offer misrepresented or ill-researched information. The statement about the stars is flat out wrong. The stars are called "mullets" from ancient heraldry. The United States Army Institute of Heraldry is the official heraldic authority for the US:

In heraldry, the term star may refer to any star-shaped charge with any number of rays, which may appear straight or wavy, and may or may not be pierced. While there has been much confusion between the two due to their similar shape, a star with straight-sided rays is usually called a mullet (or "molet") while one with wavy rays is usually called an estoile.

While a mullet may have any number of points, it is presumed to have five unless otherwise specified in the blazon. Estoiles, however, are presumed to have six rays and have not been found pierced. [Five-pointed] pierced mullets are called spur revel, while ones that are not pierced are called a star.

Blasons (shields & flags) and crests go back to early medieval history.

Not only do shapes have meanings in heraldry, but so do colors. 1777 June 14 – the Continental Congress adopts the following: "_Resolved_, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, silver in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

The House of Representatives publishes a book about the flag: "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

The color of red represents the blood spilled and valor of the people that fought and died to create the new nation, white signifies purity and innocence of the new nation, blue the infinite vastness of the creator, and silver the strength and integrity of the individual states joined together shining and reflecting their oneness in the new light.

According to the Institute of Hearaldry, “The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person of organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice. Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered and honorable enrichment only'.” It has been said that the gold color represents the richness of the natural resources of this nation.

The claim that the seamstress Elizabeth “Betsy” Griscom-Ross sewed the first American flag is widely discredited by historians. It is a popular legend promulgated by her descendants, specifically her grandson, William J. Canby, who stated before the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that Ross told him on her deathbed that she made the first American flag by hand. There is proof that she did make flags for the Pennsylvania State Navy and there are receipts which show her compensation for those flags.

U.S. Flag etiquette: http://www.military.com/flag-day/flag-ettiquette-d...

christian on May 23, 2017:

It was good what you said and It gave me a lot of information

jeff on May 04, 2017:

this was awsome

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on January 25, 2017:

Thank you for letting me know. I will look into that and possibly make those adjustments.

Charlie on January 23, 2017:

Great historical information. However, that is not the original pledge of allegiance from 1892. It is: "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands- one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all."

Isabella on December 10, 2016:

This was wonderful!!!

Charlene on November 29, 2016:

I decided to look up the meaning regarding the American Flag after seeing a post on Facebook about wanting to punish people who burn the American Flag. My Nephew was one of five killed about three weeks ago in Afghanistan, being blown up by a suicide bomber who walked in to the Bagram base there heading for the Pavillion with several hundred soldiers waiting to do a post Veterans day run. Being startled by my Nephew and a few others, the bomber was forced to detonate early...before reaching the Pavillion, which saved numerous maybe even hundreds of soldiers' lives Many people do not know the meaning of the American Flag and what it represents. This is a great article on our Flag. Now I know the meaning of the folds for the Flag and what it meant for my brother to receive a folded one after my Nephew died. GOOD JOB!

13yrs_serafina on October 31, 2016:

America has never been a free country. Look back at the lives that the slaves had. Anyone who think that they are free have a strange definition of freedom. Even now people of different races are not treated equally and are not able to do things freely.

Rob on October 17, 2016:

I thought there were 13 folds when folding the American flag.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on July 10, 2012:

I'm curious about your flag? Know any facts there?

Janis Goad on July 08, 2012:

I hardly knew any of this stuff about the American flag--I had heard the story of Betsy Ross, though. She is famous, even in Canada!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on July 06, 2012:

Thank you for your kind words.

chrissieklinger from Pennsylvania on July 06, 2012:

Wonderful hub with important information and the chart is awesome. Way to go!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on July 05, 2012:

Thank you so much all, especially you teaches! I really appreciate your compliments!

Dianna Mendez on July 05, 2012:

Love your chart history on the stars in regards to states added. This is well researched and very entertaining -- not to mention educational. Your description of the flag colors is also a great add to the content.

Judi Brown from UK on July 05, 2012:

I probably know a bit less about your flag that your other commentators, so this was really interesting. Great job!

Marissa from United States on July 05, 2012:

This is a great hub for this time of year! I too did not know about the meanings behind each fold of the flag. How fascinating!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on July 04, 2012:

Thank you both of you. I appreciate your comments.

LauraGSpeaks from Raleigh, NC on July 04, 2012:

Interesting and educationional hub. I had no idea the folds in the flag had meanings. I hope no one ever changes them.

Civil War Bob from Glenside, Pennsylvania on July 04, 2012:

Well done hub, Angela...voted up, useful, beautiful, and interesting. I just learned a BUNCH of stuff! Enjoy your day.