History of the American Flag

As one of the most easily recognizable emblems the world over, the American flag stands as a testament to our nation and the values we hold dear. When it comes to the history of the American flag, it is a long and storied one full of interesting facts and turning points. Let’s take a look at some of the main facts regarding the history of the American flag.

The story of Betsy Ross creating the flag on her own is only part of the story. She was a seamstress and played an important role in the flag design of the first flag, but it was George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross who originally approached her with a rough sketch for a flag to represent the forming of a new nation. She was the one, however, to suggest the stars should be five-pointed and arranged in a circle. While she didn’t necessarily design the flag all by herself, she played a role and definitely is considered the first to physically sew an American flag into existence.

In 1777, the flag created by Betsy Ross in council with the above-mentioned men was declared the official flag of the United States of America. The flag would remain the same in design for many decades until a few important flag amendments were passed which would change the look of this iconic flag forever.

The Act of April 4, 1818: The nation was changing and growing, and the flag needed to be an accurate representation of this fact. This was an important act signed by President Monroe which would ensure ratifying the appearance of the flag to include a star for every new state to achieve statehood.

Executive Order of President Taft: Signed into effect on June 24, 1912, this important act served to establish the proportions of the flag while addressing the arrangement of the stars. The new standard from this act would be the stars placed with a single point of each star pointing upward for a united appearance of respect for each state individually as well the nation as a whole.

The name Old Glory was first used in 1831 by sea captain William Driver. The flag was a gift from his mother and he flew it on his ship’s mast as well as his home when he left the seas behind. The name spread over time and now Old Glory is a name synonymous with the American flag.

The flag deserves to be celebrated on a designated day and on May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson made it so by issuing a presidential proclamation which established Flag Day as the anniversary of the Flag Resolution. A few decades later on August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress to officially designate June 14 of each year as National Flag Day and we still celebrate it on this day.