The American Flag by Allison Eldredge

THE AMERICAN FLAG

by ALLISON ELDREDGE

June 14th is Flag Day in America. July 4th is Independence Day. These two National Holidays are meant to celebrate America, but they aren’t the same type of celebration.

Flag Day. I have never ever celebrated Flag Day. It has always just been another day on the calendar. I’m not really sure I understood the importance of Flag Day until I started reading about the history of the flag. Independence Day. This day is commonly celebrated with cookouts and fireworks and watermelon. Yum!

During my research, I learned that flags are some of the oldest symbols in the world. Flags have been used to announce what allegiance a ship or a knight was under. Flags have been used to identify the need of rescue or surrender. Throughout the world, each country has a flag; and in America, each state has a flag and even some cities have their own flag.

Our America Flag has had a very unique road to get to the flag that we all see flying on flag poles around the county. And it all started with a little revolution.

In the 1760s, the American colonies decided that they didn’t want to be under British rule any longer. They fought the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. In 1776, America declared their Independence. On June 14, 1777 in Philadelphia, it was decided that America would have her own flag and it would include 13 red and white stripes (one stripe for each state) and 13 white stars (again, one for each state) on blue cannon (the background for the stars).

Betsy Ross is credited with sewing the First American Flag.

During the War of 1812, our flag started being called “The Star Spangled Banner” based on a poem penned by Frances Scott Key. He wrote the poem (which would become our national anthem) after watching the Battle at Fort McHenry. At that time in history there were 15 stripes and 15 stars because two states had been added in the years following 1777.

Every time a state was added to the union, the flag received another stripe and another star until 1818. That year a law was passed to limit the stripes back to 13 for the original 13 colonies. Every state added would still add a star. When a state is added to the union, the following Flag Day, June 14th, is when the new flag is released with the additional star added to the cannon. Alaska and Hawaii were the last two states added in 1959.

In 1824, the flag received another nickname that at the time would have been a personal nickname for it, but it became famous and it still used to this day. It was called “Old Glory”. William Driver, a sea captain, received a flag sewn by his mother for his 21st birthday. He called it “Old Glory” and sailed around the world twice with it at his ship’s mast.

In September 1892, the Pledge of Allegiance was first printed. As it was adopted, a flag code was created that states that we are to face the flag and place our right hand over our heart as we recite the Pledge.

In 1949, by an Act of Congress June 14th became a National Holiday….Flag Day. Congress has also created the US Flag Code. Some rules for the American Flag include: If the flag is flown outdoors it must be taken down at night unless there are lights set up to shine on it; if it raining or snowing, the flag must come down unless it is waterproof; one must hoist the flag briskly and lower it slowly and smoothly; never let the flag touch the ground; do not fly a dirty or worn out flag; and only fly the flag upside down if you are in danger.

Some of the unusual places the American flag has been flown through the years are on the moon in 1969, on Mount Everest in 1962, and at the North Pole in 1909. Since 1777, the American Flag design has been evolving; from the original 13 stripes and stars to the current 13 stripes and 50 stars. Along the way many varieties have been made. Any person creating their own flag could add their own touch to it. Flags are on display as having extra stripes, an eagle, and stars in various patterns such as a sunburst, and much more. All these variations created a spontaneous and profound form of American Folk Art. A great resource to see pictures of these variations is in the book “American Flag: Designs for a Young Nation” by Nancy Druckman.

The oldest flag is in Bennington, Vermont Museum. It is believed to be the first Stars and Stripes used by American Land Troops; flown over the military stores at Bennington in 1777.

This year, as we celebrate America’s Independence Day, don’t forget to stop long enough to appreciate the flag and the freedom that we can enjoy in the United States. n

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All.

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER:

O say, can you see By the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hail’d At the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars Through the perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watch’d Were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare The bombs bursting in air Gave proof through night That our flag was still there

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free And the home of the brave?

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY AMERICA!

HOURS: Wednesday - Monday 10:30am - 9:00pm

(CLOSED TUESDAYS) 405.547.8663

419 E Hwy 33 / Perkins, OK 74059

9 0 5 M A N V E L A V E N U E - C H A N D L E R , O K 4 0 5 - 2 5 8 - 0 9 0 5 - M A N V E L A V E C O F F E E . C O M

O P E N M O N - F R I : 7 : 3 0 A . M . - 2 P . M . S A T : 8 A . M . - 2 P . M .

@ M A N V E L A V E C O F F E E

Quality care

for your whole family.

Blaire Blankinship, APRN | Amber Reinecke, PA-C | Colm McCauley, DO

HARMONY RD.

MAIN ST. (HWY 33)

Now at a new location!

2340 E. Main St. | Cushing Schedule an appointment at 918.725.1901

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE!

CELEBRATE LOVE ON THE 4th of July AND LOVE YOUR INTERNET EVERY DAY

On the 4th of July, let’s gather to celebrate what we love about our land—from its mountains, prairies, and oceans to its kind and hard-working people. Central Oklahoma Telephone Co. will be closed that day so our employees can join the celebration. After the fireworks are over, should you realize your current internet service isn’t generating the “oohs and aahs” you’d like, enjoy a burst of improvement with a higher-speed plan from us. We offer options up to 500 Mbps. CALL 918-377-2241 TO SIGN UP FOR IMPRESSIVE SPEED

223 Broadway, Davenport, OK 74026 918-377-2241 • www.cotc.net

Cornerstone Group © 2022