(via Untitled | Flickr)
Not only is the
U.S. flag older than the Union Jack of Great Britain and the tri-color flag of
France, but also is the only flag to have been flown on the moon.
Congress first stated that there should be a star and stripe for every state.
Our first flag had 13 stars and 7 red and 6 white stripes. In 1794, two new
states were added and we had a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes. By 1818 there
were 20 states, but our county was still using the flag with 15 stars and 15
stripes. Congress thought about having 20 stripes and agreed that it might
become a problem because of its size so they passed a law that said there would
be 13 stripes for the original 13 states, and they would add a star for each
new state that joined the union.
The U.S. flag is 13 stripes: seven red and six white. A blue field with 50
stars is located next to the staff in the upper left corner of the flag. It
extends from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The stars are
arranged in alternating rows of six and five representing the 50 states of the
United States. The stars do not represent any given state.
The colors used in the flag give special meaning to the flag: Red for valor and
zeal; white for hope and cleanliness of life; and blue – the color of heaven
– for reverence and loyalty.
The stars are an ancient symbol of the heavens. Our flag’s 50 stars represent
each state as part of the nation, but also a separate level of government. Our
federal government was not given the power to control, so that each state would
be able to govern themselves in those things they could do better. When you are
looking at the flag, you are looking at the magnificent history of all Americans
who have lived before us, your own ancestors, the most enduring nation of free
people that has ever existed.
