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 colours 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 1877. 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 colours also represent
America. The red for valour and hardiness, white
for purity and innocence. With blue representing
vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
AP - Residents and recovery teams began fanning out across south Texas at dawn Thursday and cars crept along roads with darkened stoplights as the region got its first look at the destruction left by Hurricane Dolly.
AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as climate and energy issues at Germany's chancellery Thursday, part of a tour aimed at lifting the first-term senator's international standing.
AP - Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it lost $8.67 billion in the second quarter and will retool two more North American truck and sport utility vehicle plants to build small, fuel-efficient vehicles.
AP - Sales of existing homes fell more sharply than expected in June as the housing industry continued to be bruised by the worst slump in more than two decades.
AP - About 2 million Americans get a raise Thursday as the federal minimum wage rises 70 cents. The bad news: Higher gas and food prices are swallowing it up, and some small businesses will pass the cost of the wage hike to consumers.
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 honour 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.
