The American Flag

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Highlights of the American Flag... begin on January 1, 1776 when the Continental Army was reorganized and placed under George Washington's control.

It was on a "New Year's Day" and Boston was under the control of the British Army. As the Continental Army was laying siege, Washington ordered the Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. The flag had 13 red and white stripes with the Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner.

Betsy Ross reportedly sewed the first American flag in May of 1776.

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act. It resolved that the flag of the would have thirteen alternate red and white stripes and thirteen stars, of white in a blue field.

Congress passed several acts between 1777 and 1960 to allow for additional stars and stripes to be added for each new state.

Act of January 13, 1794 - provide for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 and signed by President Monroe- provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state. The stars were to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.

On June 24, 1912 an Executive Order of President Taft - established the proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars to be in six horizontal rows of eight each. A single point of each star was to be upward.

On January 3, 1959 an Executive Order by President Eisenhower - provided for the arrangement of the stars to be seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

On August 21, 1959 an Executive Order of President Eisenhower - provided for the arrangement of the stars to be in nine rows staggered horizontally and eleven rows staggered vertically.

At the present time it has 50 stars and thirteen horizontal stripes- seven red alternating with six white. The thirteen stripes represent the original colonies, and the 50 stars represent the states of the Union. The colors of the flag are also symbolic: Red stands for Valor and Hardiness - White stands for innocence and purity - Blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance and justice.

For over 200 years the American Flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity.

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