The American flag is a symbol of this great nation and its people's values and ideals. It is a treasured beacon for all who gaze upon it, inspiring a sense of pride and awe at what it means to the people. When you display the American flag outside your home, you should always learn the protocols for displaying the flag and its history. The first flag was designed to symbolize the coming together of the 13 colonies in a historic union that would eventually lead to the final version that we know today. When those 13 stars and stripes were first placed on the fabric, no one could have known just how great and far the United States would be.
History and Evolution
The origins and historical development of the American flag, including its early designs, legislative acts, and significant changes over time. The American flags you see today are not copies of the original flag designed in 1777 that had 13 stars and stripes for what was then the colonies of America. Many more states have been added to the patriot flag, and each version of Old Glory has been changed to reflect the burgeoning country until it rested on the flag that currently has 50 stars and 13 stripes. The current flag is the only design to have lasted over 50 years, and it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. There is also a Betsy Ross flag, which is a replica of the original flag that the USA designed by the great seamstress. The Betsy Ross flag is believed to be the first flag design of 1777, though some dispute this. This flag features red stripes and the stars in the blue form a circle of 13 for the original colonies.
The Flag Can be Displayed all Day and Night
By law, the flag needs to be displayed from sunrise to sundown and stored when there is no light left to display it. The flag is not supposed to be flown in the dark. However, it can be flown 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated for that entire time. You will see some buildings that display the American flag around the clock, with lights shining directly on it and around it, so the entire fabric is lit up.
The Colors of the Flag Have Meaning
Red
The red on the flag symbolizes valor and hardiness, which represent the ability to come through difficult circumstances and face danger with bravery and determination.
White
The purity and innocence of white symbolize simplicity and freedom from moral wrong. It means the nation must always strive to be on the right heading morally, and when on the wrong heading, should right itself immediately.
Blue
Blue stands for the constant struggle to persevere in being just, honest, and fair in all things. This must be done with vigilance because it is easy to stray from this path. The blue in the flag is a constant reminder that this great nation must always show integrity, fairness, and perseverance. Never has that been so important as in the past few years with world events.
Design and Specifications
The official design elements of the flag include the number of stars and stripes, proportions, colors, and other technical specifications. Every element serves a specific purpose, reflecting the nation’s history and identity. Understanding these official specifications helps deepen appreciation for this enduring national emblem.
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Stars and Their Arrangement: The flag features 50 white five-pointed stars, each representing a state in the Union. These stars are arranged in nine offset horizontal rows: five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars. The stars are set against a blue canton, or “union,” in the upper left corner. This arrangement was established by Executive Order 10834 in 1959, following Hawaii’s admission as the 50th state, and remains the official pattern used on all government-issued flags today.
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Stripes and Their Meaning: There are thirteen horizontal stripes on the American flag, alternating red and white. The top and bottom stripes are red. These stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Britain. The decision to maintain thirteen stripes, regardless of the number of states, was codified by the Flag Act of 1818. This ensures that the flag always honors the nation’s origins, even as more states have joined the Union and additional stars have been added.
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Official Proportions and Dimensions: The official proportions of the USA flag are set at a ratio of 10:19 (height to width), as specified by Executive Order 10834. The blue canton occupies the upper left corner and spans seven stripes in height and two-fifths of the flag’s length. Each stripe is one-thirteenth the height of the flag, and the stars are evenly spaced within the canton. While commercially available flags may vary in size, government-issued flags strictly follow these specifications.
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Colors and Their Specifications: The flag’s official colors are “Old Glory Red,” “White,” and “Old Glory Blue.” These shades are defined for government use by the Standard Color Reference of America and Federal Specification DDD-F-416F. In the Pantone Matching System, the colors correspond to PMS 193C (red), PMS 281C (blue), and white. These precise color definitions ensure consistency across all official flags, reinforcing the flag’s recognizable appearance and its symbolic meaning.
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Technical Construction Details: The stars on the flag are five-pointed and oriented with one point facing upward. Each star measures four-fifths the width of a stripe in diameter. The blue canton’s height is seven-thirteenths of the flag’s height, and its width is two-fifths of the flag’s length. Stripes are of equal width, and the flag may include gold fringe for ceremonial purposes, though this is not part of the official outdoor design. These details are outlined in federal flag specifications.
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Guidelines for Star Addition: The addition of new stars to represent newly admitted states is governed by law. According to the Flag Act of 1818, a new star is added on July 4th following a state’s admission to the Union. The arrangement of stars is updated as needed, but the number of stripes remains fixed at thirteen. This system ensures the flag remains current and inclusive, while still honoring the original colonies through its enduring striped design.
These design specifications are foundational to the flag’s role as a symbol of national unity and continuity. By adhering to these official guidelines, each American flag stands as a testament to the country’s evolving history and the enduring values it represents.
The Current Flag was Designed by a High School Student
The flag as we have known it for the last 50 years was the winner of a contest launched by the Eisenhower administration in 1958. The winner was Robert Heft, a 17-year from Ohio who won out over 1500 other submissions. Good on you, Robert!
Flag Day and Related Observances
The observance of Flag Day and other important dates or traditions associated with honoring the American flag. The holiday commemorates the Flag Resolution of 1777, when the first flag was made with 13 stars and 13 stripes. During the presidency of Woodrow Wilson in 1916, President Wilson proclaimed May 30th, 1916, to be the official Flag Day. This was to make a day official after people had been celebrating indiscriminately for years.
Legal and Cultural Considerations
The American flag is not just a piece of fabric. It is a powerful national symbol that has inspired deep emotions, pride, and sometimes controversy throughout the nation’s history. Legally, the flag is protected and governed by the United States Flag Code, a set of guidelines established to ensure respect for the flag’s display and treatment. While the Flag Code outlines proper ways to display, handle, and dispose of the flag, it also addresses issues that have become points of cultural debate, such as flag desecration, wearing the flag as apparel, and the flag’s use in protests. One of the most significant legal controversies surrounding the flag is the issue of flag desecration. In the landmark 1989 Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson, the Court ruled that burning the American flag as a form of protest is protected free speech under the First Amendment. This decision, reaffirmed by United States v. Eichman in 1990, underscored the tension between reverence for national symbols and the fundamental right to free expression. While many Americans view acts such as flag burning or defacement as deeply disrespectful, the law recognizes these acts as a form of symbolic speech, highlighting the flag’s role as a living symbol of the very freedoms it represents.
Culturally, the flag’s image is omnipresent, appearing not only on flagpoles but also on clothing, accessories, and even disposable items. The Flag Code states that the flag “should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery,” and should not be printed on items intended for temporary use, such as paper plates or napkins. However, these provisions are generally not enforced, and the flag’s likeness is widely used in fashion and advertising, reflecting its powerful cultural resonance. The use of the flag in apparel and commercial products often sparks debate about where to draw the line between patriotic celebration and disrespect. Similarly, the flag’s display in protests has become a potent tool for social and political expression. The upside-down flag, for example, is traditionally a signal of dire distress, but has been adopted in recent years as a symbol of political protest or dissatisfaction with government actions. These uses highlight the dynamic and sometimes contentious role the flag plays in American society, serving as both a unifying emblem and a canvas for dissent. The American flag’s legal and cultural journey reflects the nation’s evolving understanding of patriotism, freedom, and civic responsibility. While laws and customs encourage respect and reverence for the flag, the robust protections for free speech ensure that it remains a symbol not only of unity and pride but also of the right to challenge and critique the very system it represents. The ongoing debates about flag desecration, apparel, and protest use remind us that the flag’s significance is not static. It is continually shaped by the people and the principles it stands for.
Flag Etiquette and Proper Usage
When displaying the flag outdoors, it should be raised briskly at sunrise and lowered ceremoniously at sunset. If flown at night, the flag must be properly illuminated. It should never be flown in inclement weather unless made of all-weather material. The flag must always be allowed to fly freely and should never touch the ground, water, or anything beneath it. When displayed on a wall, either horizontally or vertically, the union (the blue field of stars) should be at the top left from the observer's perspective. During parades or processions, the flag should be to the right of the marchers or at the center front if carried with other flags. Special rules apply when flying the flag at half-staff, a gesture of national mourning or respect. To position the flag at half-staff, it is first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. Before lowering for the day, it is again raised to the peak before being fully lowered. The flag is flown at half-staff on designated days such as Memorial Day (until noon), upon the death of principal government officials, and as directed by the President or state governors.
On uniforms, the flag patch is typically worn on the right shoulder, with the union facing forward, symbolizing the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves ahead. This convention honors the flag’s role as a rallying point and symbol of forward motion. During ceremonies, civilians should stand at attention with their right hand over their heart, while military personnel in uniform render a formal salute. The flag should never be used as apparel, bedding, or drapery, nor should it be carried flat or horizontally, except when used to drape a casket at a funeral. When a flag becomes worn or damaged, it should be retired in a dignified manner, preferably by ceremonial burning. These customs and rules ensure the American flag remains a revered emblem, embodying the nation’s unity, sacrifice, and enduring values.
When you fly the American flag, you are displaying a piece of history that is very important to the US, so knowing a little bit about that history is significant. One must understand the meanings and symbolism associated with the flag's colors, stars, stripes, and overall design, as well as what the flag represents to the nation. These are just a few of the important facts that surround the flag, but there are many more. Old Glory has a rich history that should be shared and honored just as the flag is when displayed.
Sources:
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Show Allegiance. (2023, August 17). 5 perfect occasions to fly your American flag high. https://www.showallegiance.com/blogs/american-flag/5-perfect-occasions-to-fly-your-american-flag-high
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The American Legion. United States Flag Code. https://www.legion.org/advocacy/flag-advocacy/flag-code