Today is Flag Day. If you didn’t know that, don’t be too upset — Flag Day doesn’t get a lot of publicity.
Sandwiched in between patriotic holidays like Memorial Day and Independence Day — not to mention Father’s Day — the day commemorating the American flag doesn’t always get its due.
True, it’s not an official federal holiday. June 14 wasn’t even officially designated as Flag Day until an Act of Congress in 1949. But the American flag has gone through many changes over the years before becoming the version so familiar to us today. And what better day to take a look at the flag’s history?
Early flags
When the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, they had yet to decide on a national flag. The Grand Union Flag, which featured 13 red and white stripes, but a British Union flag — in place of where the stars would be — was also a feature in what many consider the first national flag.
Of course, there was no way that the British Union Jack was going to remain within the American flag. And so, the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution instructing that the U.S. flag display thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field.
But in the resolution, there weren’t any specifics regarding the stars. Some flags had the stars in rows, while other flags had the stars arranged in a circle. The amount of points on the stars also differed from flag to flag.
One of the oldest well-known flag designs featured the 13 stars in a circle, each with five points. This flag is known as “the Betsy Ross flag,” though Ross’ contribution to the flag is debatable at best.
Largely credited with the design of the first “official” American flag is Francis Hopkinson, a delegate from New Jersey. Hopkinson’s flag featured six-pointed stars arranged in four rows.
New states bring changes
When Vermont and Kentucky joined the union, an act authorized the American flag to pick up two extra stars and stripes in 1795. That was the only American flag to feature 15 stripes — it became known as the Star Spangled Banner, which you may have heard of before.
As new states were added to the union, Congress decided to add a star for each state, but the number of stripes was reduced back to 13. After the Star Spangled Banner, the flag has changed 25 times.
The current version of the flag is the longest-tenured flag in American history (48 years), edging out the 48-star flag, which was used for 47 years, from July 4, 1912 to July 3, 1959. All updated flags since the Star Spangled Banner were officially adopted on Independence Day.
Lifestyle
Flag Day flies high
- Lifestyle
-
-
Stories from the neighborhood, and the concentration camp
The person with a haunted past is a familiar and reliable trope in literature and film, and perhaps all of us have something about which to be haunted. A book by Lewiston resident Joseph Leary, “Klara,” sharply explains a story of past misdeeds in a well-written and evocative novel.
-
Some tips for the fathers-to-be
All of a sudden, I’m getting to feel like a bit of an ol’ pro at this fatherhood thing.
-
Clueless and late to the garden party
The more I get into this whole gardening thing, the more I realize how much I don’t know.
It started not long after I finished my first “Clueless Gardener” column, when I walked into a store with the idea of making some gardening purchases. Seeds, I thought. Maybe some plants to transplant. But mainly, seeds. That’s kind of the point of a garden, right?
-
Easy ways to enrich your pet's life and help the environment
The day has come were my finely articulated words have been placed on the bottom of my bird cage to be soiled upon. Sure, it was funny when it was Joe Biden’s face or another writer’s work. But mine? So cruel. So proud.
-
All that glimmers
Even during a drizzly February day, Gleam & Glimmer Stained Glass Studio is full of light.
It shines through the stained glass pieces in the front of the Webster Street shop, glances off mosaics and jewelry and lands on the works in progress in the studio area, where students can learn to create their own multi-colored art.
That’s exactly the way co-owner Suzanne Todaro likes it. -
HAYNES: Sizing up the Oscars
The big show is tonight and for the first time in my life, I have managed to catch every single movie nominated for the best picture award.
-
COLUMN: Make your popcorn red carpet-worthy
Annual movie award shows are the perfect excuse for hosting a party.
-
HAYNES: Celebrating the Oscars with a little 'Help' in the kitchen
-
Someone's gotta do it
Even though it's Christmas, emergency and health personnel still have to work
-
Celebrating another winter holiday, with lights
Jewish community observing fifth day of eight-day festival of Hanukkah.
- More Lifestyle Headlines
-
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
Md. 911 Dispatcher Caught Sleeping on Job
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Iowa Man With Zebra, Parrot in Truck Gets DUI
Egyptians Pick New President in Free Election
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
