The Fourth of July is the day that we celebrate all of the privileges we have by living in a free country. We honor those who serve our country and remember those who died for it. The flag is the ultimate symbol of the cost of freedom, but do you remember why?
The origin of the first American flag mostly remains unclear. Some say in 1777 Francis Hopkinson, a naval flag designer and signer of the Declaration of Independence, designed it for the U.S. Navy. The more known story is Betsy Ross designed the flag based off a sketch from George Washington.
Old Glory, the first known 10 x 17 flag, is currently housed at the National Museum of American History. This flag features a blue square with red and white stripes. Old Glory survived many defacing attempts during the Civil War and, after the war, was the first American flag to be flown over the capitol in the previously Confederate state of Tennessee.
Between 1777 and 1960 several amendments were made by Congress to adjust the symbolism of the flag. The flag today features thirteen red and white stripes (seven red and six white) for the original thirteen colonies and one star for every state in a blue square located in the upper left-hand corner of the flag.
The American flag has become more than just a symbol. It has continued to inspire us and give us pride in being Americans for centuries. Most famously, the American flag inspired the nation’s anthem the Star-Spangled Banner.
The flag is also a symbol of hope for a bright future. It has traveled to the North Pole, the top of Mount Everest and to the moon. As a symbol of how far we’ve come as a nation and where we can go, take a minute to think about what it means to you.