History Of The American Flag Explained

It was on January 1, 1776 that the ContinentalHopkinson, a Continental Congress member,
army was restructured and adjusted according todesigned the flag. However, between 1777 and
a Congressional resolution which heralded1960, the Congress implemented procedures that
American forces to the command of Georgevaried its shape, design and structure of the flag.
Washington. On that day, the AmericanAnd it was decided that there was a need for
Continental Army was blockading Boston whichadditional starts to represent all the states of
had been taken over by the British army. It hasAmerica. It was on January 3, 1959 that President
been said that the first American flag was madeEisenhower issued an executive order which
in May of 1776 by Betsy Ross, a Philadelphiastates that the arrangement of the stars should
seamstress who was actually a friend of Georgebe in six horizontal rows of eight, each single point
Washington and acquainted with other prominentof every star directed upward. In 1791 and 1792,
and high-ranking Philadelphians. Ross suggestedafter Kentucky and Vermont were added to the
that the five-pointed star be used instead of theUnion, two stars and two stripes were added
star with six points. This is because theduring 1795. This brought inspiration to lawyer
five-pointed star can be cut off easily with a fewFrancis Scott Key to write and compose a poem
trims of the scissors. It is also said that Betsywhich later became the U.S. National Anthem. It
Ross was the one who made the flags for thewas in 1818 that five more states had been
Pennsylvanian navy. However, the first unofficialadded and declared and the Congress decided to
flag of America was called the Grand Union Flag,pass legislation that fixes the number of stars and
also known as the Continental Colors. It wasstripes. The stars would have equal numbers as
raised at the order and command of Generalthe states. On July 4, 1960, the last new star was
Washington close to his headquarters outsideadded after Hawaii became a state, which gives a
Boston January 1, 1776. This first unofficial flagtotal number of fifty stars. The American Flag
was composed of thirteen alternating white andhas been the emblem of the nation's power and
red horizontal stripes, with the British Union Flag inharmony for more than 200 years. It serves as
the canton. However, the first official Americanthe binding material that brings millions of citizens
flag was accepted by the Continental Congresstogether in attaining one goal.
on June 14, 1777. This flag was also known as theJeff Linaker has an interest in general knowledge
Stars and Stripes for it consisted of 13 starstopics. To access more articles on American flags
which represented the first 13 colonies. However,or for additional information and resources visit
there is no assurance of who actually designedthis American flag related website.
and made this flag. It is said that it was Francis