On January 1, 1776, the Continental flag or the Congress
colors was raised for the first time at Charleston,
Massachusetts, above the base at Prospect Hill, as
ordered by George Washington, then head of American
Forces. The flag also known as the Grand Union Flag or
Cambridge Flag, may have been mistaken by the British as
a gesture of respect to King George.
Eariler that morning the Loyalists (or British Sympathizers)
had been passing a recent speech by king George around.
The speech suggested that if the Continentals would lay
down their weapons, he, "The King" would give them
terms he deemed favorable. Washington as well as the
Continentals were unaware of the speech. Washington had
ordered the flag raised in respect of the United Colonies.
The Loyalists were sure that the Continentals were making
plans for a formal surrender of the lines. Upon learning
of the King's speech and the Loyalist's thought's
Washinton remarked on how strange they must think it is,
that by this time there has been no formal surrender.
According to what we can learn Betsy Ross was approached
by the Congressional Committee in May to make the first
American Flag. By early June Betsy Ross has completed the
flag. In July the Liberty Bell tolled and the Declaration
of Independence was read for the first time at the
Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the
birth of a new and great nation.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress decided that
in order to promote unity and national pride they should
and would adopt the flag. They resolved that the flag
of the United States would have 13 stripes and thirteen
stars on a blue field representing the thirteen states.
These being Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina,
New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and
Rhode Island.
Also on this day John Adams proposed to the American
Congress a resolution for a new flag. A flag with 13
stripes which alternated red and white. The flag would
also have 13 white stars placed in a circle on a blue
field showing that no state stood above the other.
This would also be the first day of the history of the
flag of the United States of America. Although we do not
know when or where the flag was first flown, we do know
that it wasn't offically announced until September 3,
1777.
We can't say with certainty who actually designed the
first United States flag, but many historians give the
credit to Francis Hopkinson, a Continental Congress
delegate from New Jersey and signer of the Declaration
of Independence. This is supported via letter written
by Hopkinson in 1780 to the Board of Admiralty. In the
letter, Hopkinson states that he designed the flag and
inquires as to weather a Quarter Cask of the public wine
would be a resonable and proper reward for his work.
Through time the flag was changed to recognize new states
as they joined the United States of America. In 1795 the
flag was modified to 15 stars in recongnition of the new
states of Vermont and Kentucky.
In 1818 the flag reflects the addition of Tennessee, Ohio,
Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi. We now have a 20 star
flag.
Illinois joins the states in 1819.
In 1820 we add the states of Alabama and Maine, which
means we now have a 23 star flag. Our flag in this year
becomes the first flag on Pikes Peak.
Missouri joines the states in 1822.
Arkansas in 1836.
Michigan in 1837.
Flordia in 1845, we now have 27 stars.
Texas in 1846.
Iowa in 1847, 29 stars.
Wisconsin in 1848.
California in 1851, 31 stars.
Minnesota in 1858.
Oregon in 1859, 33 stars.
Kansas in 1861.
West Virginia makes 35 in 1863.
Nevada in 1867.
Nebraska in 1867 makes 37.
In 1869 the first postage stamp with a flag appears.
Colorado joins the states in 1877, which brings us up
to 38 stars.
North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, and
Idaho are recongized and we now have a 43 star flag.
In 1891 Wyoming makes 44.
The "pledge of Allegiance" is published in "The Youth's
Companion" the first publishing of the plsdge. The Youth's
Companion is a magazine. James B. Upham and Francis
Bellamy claimed authorship. In 1939 the United States
Flag Association declared Bellamy the author. The words
"Under God" were added on June 14, 1954.
Utah joins us in 1896 and we now have a 45 star flag.
Oklahoma in 1908 is represented by the 46th star.
In 1909 Robert Peary places the flag on the North Pole.
This flag was sewn by his wife.
The flag was amended via Executive Order by President Taft
on June 24, 1912 to arrange the stars in six horizontal
rows which would contain eight stars per row and have
one point pointing upward. This means we now have a 48
star flag thanks to the addition of New Mexico and
Arizona. World War II is fought
under this flag and on August 14, the day when Japan
accepted the terms of surrender, the flag which flew
over Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941, is flown over
the White House.
In 1959 Alaska joins the United States and we now have a
49 star flag. President Eisenhower on January 3rd 1959
signs a bill which provides for the rearrangement of the
flag to seven row of seven stars staggered horizontally
and vertically. On August 21, 1959 President Eisenhower
changes the design to nine rows of stars staggered
horizontally and vertically, and eleven rows staggered
vertically.
In 1960 Hawaii gives us our 50th star.
In 1963 Barry Bishop places the flag atop Mount Everest,
and on July 20th 1969 Neil Armstrong places the first flag
on the moon.
The flag of the United States is the third oldest flag of
the national standards of the world. It is older than
Great Britains Union Jack and the Tricolor of France.
June 14th, is Flag day, please remember Flag day and the men who have
made this such a great nation.
