United States flag
The United States flag has survived battles, is something many Americans are proud of and has even inspired songs! Here at Cartridge Commander, we wanted to provide you some helpful and educational information on the flag of our great nation.
| Meanings | Etiquette | Pledge | History |
Meanings
☆ Thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies (NH, SC, VA, RI, MD, NY, MA, DE, PA, NJ, GA, CT and NC) that declared independence from England.
☆ Fifty stars symbolize the current 50 United States.
☆ White signifies purity and innocence, red signifies valor and bravery; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Etiquette
General guidelines for displaying the United States flag
☆ When the flag is hung vertically on a wall, window, or door, the Union (blue section) should be to the observer’s left. When the flag is hung either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the Union should be to the observer’s left.
☆ In a procession, the American flag should be to the right (the flag’s own right) of any other flag or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
☆ When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff.
☆ When the flag is displayed otherwise than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out; or so suspended that its folds fall as freely as though the flag were staffed.
☆ When displayed over a street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street, or to the east in a north and south street.
☆ On a platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker, with the union uppermost and to the observer’s left.
☆ When displayed from a staff in a church or auditorium, the flag should occupy the position of honor and be placed at the speaker’s right as he faces the audience.
☆ When the flag is used to cover a casket, the union should be at the head and over the left shoulder.
Pledge of Allegiance
Pledge of Allegiance
There have been some changes in the Pledge of Allegiance since Francis Bellamy wrote it in August 1892. Here are those changes:
1892 (original):
"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1923 (edited):
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
1954 (current):
"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."
§171. Conduct
During rendition of the national anthem ("Star-Spangled Banner") when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention, facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should face the flag, render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
History
☆ May, 1776 the "Betsy Ross flag" was created.
☆ June 4, 1777 Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation".
☆ The first official U.S. flag was then flown during battle on August 3, 1777 at Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix) during the Siege of Fort Stanwix.
☆ 172 years after the Flag Resolution, on Aug. 3, 1943, President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14 as Flag Day.
☆ The first official U.S. flag was then flown during battle on August 3, 1777 at Fort Schuyler (Fort Stanwix) during the Siege of Fort Stanwix.
☆ 172 years after the Flag Resolution, on Aug. 3, 1943, President Harry S. Truman officially declared June 14 as Flag Day.
Dates of when the US flag was changed due to states being granted statehood.
| 1776-1777 | 13-star (circle) | Betsy Ross flag |
| 1777-1795 | 13-star | (1776): NH, SC, VA, RI, MD, NY - (1780): MA - (1787): DE, PA, NJ - (1788): GA, CT - (1789): NC |
| 1795-1818 | 15-star |
(1791) VT, (1792) KY
|
| 1818-1819 | 20-star |
(1796) TN, (1803) OH, (1812) LA, (1816) IN, (1817) MS
|
| 1819-1820 | 21-star |
(1818) IL
|
| 1820-1822 | 23-star |
(1819) AL, (1820) ME
|
| 1822-1836 | 24-star |
(1821) MO
|
| 1836-1837 | 25-star |
(1836) AR
|
| 1837-1845 | 26-star |
(1837) MI
|
| 1845-1846 | 27-star |
(1845) FL
|
| 1846-1847 | 28-star |
(1845) TX
|
| 1847-1848 | 29-star |
(1846) IA
|
| 1848-1851 | 30-star | (1848) WI |
| 1851-1858 | 31-star | (1850) CA |
| 1858-1859 | 32-star | (1858) MN |
| 1859-1861 | 33-star | (1859) OR |
| 1861-1863 | 34-star | (1861) KS |
| 1863-1865 | 35-star | (1863) WV |
| 1865-1867 | 36-star | (1864) NV |
| 1867-1877 | 37-star | (1867) NE |
| 1877-1890 | 38-star | (1877) CO |
| 1890-1891 | 43-star | (1889): ND, SD, MT, WA - (1890): ID |
| 1891-1896 | 44-star | (1890) WY |
| 1896-1908 | 45-star | (1896) UT |
| 1908-1912 | 46-star | (1907) OK |
| 1912-1959 | 48-star | (1912): NM, AZ |
| 1959-1960 | 49-star | (1959) AK |
| 1960 - Now | 50-star | (1959) Hawaii |