On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army came under the control of George Washington. In May of that year, Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag, consisting of 13 stripes, alternating in colors of red and white. George Washington had it hoisted at Prospect Hill. She was a struggling seamstress who knew George and Martha. 

On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army came under the control of George Washington. In May of that year, Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag, consisting of 13 stripes, alternating in colors of red and white. George Washington had it hoisted at Prospect Hill. She was a struggling seamstress who knew George and Martha Washington from Church. George Washington showed her the layout, which included stars with 6 points. She cut out a star with 5 points, and George Washington is said to have liked it and went with the design.

The first flag act was passed in 1977. Congress declared that the official flag of the United States would have 13 stripes, alternating red and white. It would also have 13 white stars on a blue background to represent each of the states in the Union. The stars each had 5 points, and were designed in a circle, representing the unity of the states. This flag act was updated several times through 1960. Congress added to it each time new states joined the Union.

Since 1960, the American Flag has stayed the same. It has 13 stripes to represent the original colonies. 7 of the stripes are red with the remaining 6 being white. The flag has 50 stars, each representing 1 state. The point of the stars points towards the sky to represent the presence of God. The stars remain on a blue background. The three colors also represent America. The red for valor and hardiness, white for purity and innocence. With blue representing vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The American Flag has been an issue of controversy with some claiming it is their right to burn a flag. The law has decided that we can’t pass and enforce laws against flag burning unless we modify the US Constitution and remove an important part of the First Amendment. However, it is considered very disrespectful in our society to burn the American Flag. It is also disrespectful to fly torn and tattered flags. They should be maintained properly. In light of terrorist attacks and the war with Iraq, American Flags are once again flying high and with honor for us to remember the freedoms we have in this country.

The United States Army Institute of Heraldry has designs in place for the American flag with up to 56 stars on it. This is because of ongoing statehood possibilities in Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. While negotiations are far from complete, the hope is that one day their will be more that 50 states in the United States of America.

While types and colors of flags vary by country and organization, there are some universal rules for properly displaying flags. It is customary to only display the flag from sunrise to sundown. When flying a flag at half-mast, it should first be taken all the way to the top, and then slowly lowered to half-mast.  This is usually done to represent a time of mourning, a death, war, or other similar issue. Flags in the United States were at half-mast after the terrorist attacks of 09/11.

The flag of the country should be dominate where a display has more than one flag. For example, a display with a state flag and the United States flag should have the United States flag flown higher than the state flag. The country flag should always be hoisted first and lowered last out of respect. When flags are at half-mast, the country flag should be flown at half, with the state flag slightly lower.

If flags from different nations are flown together in the same display, they should all be flown at the same height. This represents the countries peaceful agreement that they are not above or below any other country. All the flags at the United Nations are at the same height.

The proper way to fold a flag is to fold it in half width-wise twice. Fold one side up into a triangle. Repeat this triangle motion until only a square is left. Tuck the point of the triangle into the square. This takes some practice, so if you will be doing flag folding, try practicing on a piece of material with the same dimensions.

Flag displays all over the world represent the ideals and background of that particular country, state, and organization. Flag displays are done for many different reasons. Following a few basic rules no matter what flags you display helps send a unified message that all flags are to be treated with respect.

Flags have been used for various reasons for over 4,000 years. Wooden poles were hand carved to display the flag on. The poles were later made of metal. A decoration is sometimes added to the tip of a flag pole, called a finial.  Flag poles today continue to be made of wood or metal. In addition, some are made of fiberglass. The flag pole is generally erected very high so that the flag can be seen waving freely in the sky for all to see. Flag poles vary is height from 10 feet to 80 feet on average. At a height of 525 feet, the flag pole in Gijeon-dong, North Korea, is the highest in the world. On a similar note, the largest flag in the world is in Basilia, Brazil. It weighs 1,300 pounds! A flag is raised onto the flagpole by the use of a pulley. Proper flag displaying is to raise the flag at sunrise and lower it at sunset. Flag poles should be securely cemented into the ground.

The most famous flag pole is that which was placed on the moon in 1969. There was nothing unique about the flag pole it’s self, only the symbolic representation of it being placed on the moon while the whole world watched it unfold.

Each of the 50 states that make up the United States has their own state flag. While they are all united under the American Flag, the individual flags represent their own ideals as well as freedom and individual rights. Every state also has a song, state bird, and state flower. Each state flag has a unique design.

Alabama and Florida have very similar state flags. Both are white with a big red X across it.  Florida's also has an emblem in the middle while Alabama's is white.  Georgia, Mississippi, Hawaii, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas all have flags that are a variation of the America flag. The colors are a combination of red, white, and blue. Several of them have stripes as well.

Alaska and Indiana have state flags with a blue background and yellow stars. Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin all have a state emblem on their flag. As you can tell by the number of states listed here, this is the most common symbol on a state flag.

A few states have animals on their flags. The animals represent strength, power, and freedom, in addition to the colors of the flag. These states include California, Illinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Regardless of the selection of the design on their state flag, each state in the United States takes pride in their own flag, as well as the American flag. I think the fact that each state is allowed to have such a state flag to display next to the American flag shows that the United States truly is a democracy and freedom of speech is a reality here.

The first known flags were those used around 3,000 B.C. in Ancient Greece and Egypt. They were called vexilloids. Today we call vexillology the study of flags. These first flags were carvings on top of metal or wooden poles. It wasn't until 2,000 years ago that the idea to use material with a design on top of the pole was introduced. Flags are used to give a message, represent your organization, and celebrate events.

Today, a flag is described as a colored fabric that symbolizes something or that sends a signal. In medieval times, Knights carried flags to easily tell their friends from their enemies because they all looked alike in their armor. Most everyone is familiar with surrender flag, a plain white flag waived to indicate to your enemy that you give up.

Every country has a unique flag. Every state in the United States has its own state flag. Most organizations have their own flag including Girl/Boy Scouts of America, VFW, and many schools. One of the most well know flags in the Olympic Flag because it represents all nations. The 5 circles on the flag represent the 5 continents coming together in peace for friendly competition.

Another well known flag is that of the United Nations. The olive branch in the center represents peace for all Nations. The American flag flies at half-mast to honor the dead, as well as drapes the coffin at the funerals of those who have served in the military.

Regardless of who the flag belongs to, colors used have particular meanings. Red is for courage and power. White represents surrender. Orange is a reminder of sacrifice. Green represents safety and hope. Yellow is for caution. Black is a sign of death and mourning.

Flags come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Much thought goes into the design of each flag because they want it to be a representation of who they are and what they stand for. Knowing the meanings of the colors on flags will help you to decipher that information.