Popularly called the American flag, the official national flag of the the United States. It consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white, and , in the upper corner near the staff, a rectangular blue field or canton, containing fifty, five –pointed white stars. The stripes symbolize the thirteen colonies that originally constituted the United State America. The stars represent the fifty states of the Union. In the language of the Continental Congress which defined the symbolic meaning of the colors red, white and blue, as used in the flag. White signifies purity and Innocence, Red , Hardiness and Valor, and blue Vigilance, perseverance and justice. Because of its stars, stripes and clors, the American flag is frequently called the star-spangled Banner, the stars and stripes and the Red, White and Blue, Another popular , Patriotic designation, Old Glory , is of uncertain origin.

Origins of the American Flag, Early flags designed for use in the American colonies reflected the Old World origin of the colonists. In the British colonies many flags were adaptations of the British Union jack; The colors red,white and blue, which symbolized colonial unity, were first used in a flag in New England in 1737. The flag was blue with a white canton quartered (divided into four parts) by a red cross. In one upper quarter of the canton was a globe symbolizing in the new world.

Development of the American Flag. On june 14, 1777, Congress made the following resolution; The flag of the United state shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white , with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field. Official announcement of the new flag was not made until sep. 3 1777. When it was first flown has not been determined. Historical research has failed to establish a factual foundation for the traditional story that the flag maker Betsy Ross made the first American flag.

Display of the American Flag. A joint resolution adopted by congress in 1942 established a uniform code for display of the national flag. Included are the following rules.

The flag is usually displayed from sunrise to sunset in the open. It should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously. It is displayed daily, weather permitting , and especially on certain enumerated holidays, on or near the main adminstration buildings of all public institutions. It is also displayed in or near every polling place on election days and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.

Source: http://www.socialmediachatforum.com/threads/origins-of-the-american-flag.451/

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