As we are right in the middle of summer vacations, hanging out by the pool, and enjoying the sparkling fire flies around us, and the dazzling display of fireworks this 4th of July weekend, we also remember the colors of the Red, White, and Blue.
What’s in a Name?
The most common name for the American Flag is one that we have known for years and years, Old Glory. This was the name given by Captain William Driver, he was a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts in 1831. As he was setting sail on one of his long journeys on board of the brig Charles Doggett, as he rescued mutineers of the Bounty, some of his friends gifted him with a flag of twenty four stars, as he opened up the flag and allowed it to blow in the wind, he exclaimed “Old Glory!”
Rebranding
Another name given to the American Flag is The Stars and Stripes. Nobody knows for certain who designed the first American Flag, but, Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely to have designed it, and a few historians believe that a seamstress named Betsy Ross made the first one.
World Wide Fame
The patterns and colors of the American Flag are very recognizable around the world for many, the Flag stands for Valor, perseverance, and justice. Many people don’t know the great significance of each of the colors that the flag displays. The thirteenth stripes represent the thirteen original colonies.
History in the making
On July 4, 1776, congress adopted a resolution giving permission to a committee to design a seal for the U.S.A. The purpose of this was to reflect the beliefs of the Founding Fathers and to declare the sovergn victory of the new Nation. This did not even become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic such as seals, each element of the flag has a special meaning. Even all of the colors have special meanings. The colors of Red, White, and Blue did not have any meanings for the Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, according to Charles Thompson, who served as the Secretary of the Continental Congress said that the colors of the Great Seal did have special meanings.
United We Stand
The colors of the pales, which are the vertical stripes are those used in the flag of the United States of America, each individual color is very unique and special in the design of the flag.
Red signifies hardiness and valor, White signifies purity and innocence, Blue signifies the color of the Chief, the broad band above the stripes signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The Star is a symbol of the heavens, and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial, the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.
Enclosure
The placing of a fringe on the flag is optional. Fringe is used on indoor flags only because, if it was used on an outdoor flag, it would deteriorate quickly. The fringe is considered honorable enrichment only, and it was used by the US Army from 1895-1925. The Attorney General’s Opinion states that the fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the Flag.
The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services. It is believed to have first been used in a military setting.
One Banner
The American Flag is definitely one of the most prominent and powerfully moving symbols that defines and represents The United States Of America. To this day, many veterans and fallen soldiers have fought in the foreshadow of the American Flag with great courage and while not all fought for the same reasons, everyone fought for all that our flag represents, and that is the reason why we choose to remember the Red, White, and Blue in our hearts and minds this 4th of July weekend. Thank You to everyone who has served, who is serving, and who will serve. It’s because of you and your sacrifices that you make daily that we are free. May we always remember, and never forget.
Written by: Gary Taylor
