The
Patriotic History of the Stars and Stripes
By
Steven Coffman
On that
historic day, the flag
of the United States of America came into existence
and this form remains unchanged to the present day.
Just who designed the first flag or who made it is
a question still debated by historians. Some believe
that Betsy Ross designed the first flag, although
claims have also been made that Francis Hopkinson,
a Congressman, designed and made the first flag. Historical
records do show that Betsy Ross made flags for the
government in 1777, but whether she made the first
United States flag will probably always remain in
doubt. In 1782, the Congress
of the confederation reaffirmed the choice of the
Continental Congress by stating that the national
seal and the flag would remain red, white and blue.
Deeper meaning was also given to the flag and its
design. The thirteen original states would always
be represented by the seven red stripes and the six
white ones. However, they left open the question of
how the stars on the blue union would be arranged.
In 1777, Congress had not specified any particular
design for the arrangement of the stars and some flags
had thirteen stars in a circle. Others had twelve
in a circle with the thirteenth in the center. By
1782 though, almost all the national flags had the
thirteen stars in a circle. In 1794, Vermont and Kentucky
were admitted to the Union bringing the number of
states to fifteen. Congress ordered that all new flags
would carry fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, and
that a star and a stripe would be added as each new
state joined the Union. This would later prove to
be too cumbersome and would soon be abandoned. This
flag, with its fifteen stars and fifteen stripes,
is the flag Americans carried in the War of 1812.
By 1817, The Union was expanded by five more states:
Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi.
This expansion meant a new flag. Samuel C. Reid, a
navy captain, redesigned the
flag using the original thirteen stripes and adding
a star for each of the twenty states. This idea was
proposed to Congress by Peter Wendover, a representative
from New York. It was passed as the New Flag Act,
and the date was set as July 4th next after a new
state had been admitted to the Union as the day on
which a new flag would be flown. Congress again left
open the question of how the stars might be arranged,
so the design was left to individual flag makers.
In later years, the President
has usually proclaimed how the stars would be arranged
and all flags must agree with the Presidential proclamation.
New states were constantly being admitted to the Union
and the United States had thirteen national flags
between 1817 and 1861. During the Civil War, we had
another two flags with the admission of Kansas and
West Virginia. Union troops fought under a 33-star
flag during the first three months of the war; a 34-star
flag until 1863; and a 35-star flag until the end
of the war. President Lincoln refused to take out
the stars of the southern states which had seceded.
After the war had ended, the nation began to move
west. Nebraska joined the Union in 1867; followed
in 1877 by Colorado; 1890 by North Dakota, South Dakota,
Montana, Washington and Idaho; 1891 by Wyoming; 1896
by Utah; and 1908 by Oklahoma. During this period
of transition in the country, we had six more national
flags. The twenty-third flag, adopted in 1896, was
the flag that we fought under during the Spanish-American
War in 1898. In 1912, Arizona and New Mexico were
admitted to the Union and thus the United States needed
another new flag. This was the twenty-fifth flag,
adopted in 1912, and which lasted until 1959. The
total of 47 years that this flag flew over the nation
represents the longest period of duration of any one
flag of the United States. This flag was carried to
the battlefields of World War I and World War II,
as well as the Korean War. In 1959, Alaska was admitted
as the 49th state of the Union. The 49-star flag,
adopted in 1959, was raised at 12:01 a.m. on July
4th, 1959, over Ft. McHenry to signal the official
admittance of Alaska. This flag lasted but a short
while for on July 4th, 1960, the United States raised
the present 50-star flag signaling the admission of
Hawaii as our 50th and last state. To date, we have
had twenty-seven national flags, and they have all
flown in glory over this great nation, the United
States.
27 Flags
of the United States
1st US
Flag 1777-1795
The Betsy Ross Flag. To this day, the actual maker
of this flag remains unknown. This almost casually
constructed national emblem incorporated the unchanging
design of thirteen stripes with a thirteen-star union.
Although this claim is seriously in doubt, Betsy Ross,
a Philadelphia seamstress, is said to have made the
first American flag. This claim was first made by
William J. Canby, her grandson, in 1870. His claim
is based on the signed statements of several persons,
including Betsy Ross’ daughters, nieces and granddaughters.
Historical records do show that she made flags for
the government in 1777, but there is no proof she
made the first flag. The second claim as the maker
of the first flag was by Congressman Francis Hopkinson.
Shortly after the adoption of the first flag by Congress
in 1777, Hopkinson came forward and asserted that
he was the maker of the original flag. This claim
is unsubstantiated by historical records, and so the
real maker of the flag will probably always remain
in doubt. It’s unfortunate, for this design has remained
unchanged for almost 200 years.
2nd US
Flag 1795-1818
In 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union and the
following year Kentucky was also admitted. By 1974,
it became apparent to Congress that the country needed
a new flag. Congress decided to change the basic structure
of the flag and add not only two more stars, but two
more stripes. The 15-stripe flag was ordered flown
after May 1, 1795. This 15-star flag was flown during
the War of 1812 and during the United States’ war
with the Barbary States. It was this flag that inspired
Francis Scott Key to write the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
It also inspired a heated debate in the Congress over
the change from 13 to 15 stripes in the banner. Between
1795 and 1818, five new states were admitted to the
Union and a new flag was needed. A navy captain redesigned
the flag and returned to the 13 original stripes,
but added a star for each new state. Finally, the
idea was accepted by Congress because it was easier
to change the stars than the stripes. Congress adopted
this idea and also stipulated that on the July 4th
following the admission of a new state; a new star
would be flown in the flag to represent the state.
3rd US
Flag in 1818
Our third flag saw a return to tradition as Congress
decided to return to the thirteen stripes, but to
add a star as each new state joined the Union. Designed
by navy captain Samuel Reid, this flag was proposed
to Congress on April 4, 1818, and changed back to
thirteen stripes. This flag had 20 stars and became
official July 4, 1818. This flag is also called the
“Great Star Flag” because the 20 stars were sometimes
arranged to form a star.
4th US
Flag in 1819
The 21st star in the flag represented the admission
of the state of Illinois on December 3, 1818. The
Northwest Territory was rapidly becoming settled and
four new states would be carved out of this section
of the country. 1818 was also the year that the United
States-Canada boundary dispute was settled, making
it the longest open border in the world.
5th US
Flag in 1820
The hot issue of the day was whether the nation could
keep the balance between free and slave states. Alabama
was admitted in 1819, giving the country an equal
number of both. But in 1820, Maine was admitted as
a free state, thus tipping the numbers in favor of
the free states. In 1820, our fifth flag appeared
with 23 stars in the Union.
6th US
Flag in 1822
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 would settle the question
of slaves states versus free for 30 years. No state
would be admitted to the Union as a slave state above
the line 36°-30’ in the new Louisiana Purchase.
Another tenet of the Compromise was that Missouri
would be admitted as the 24th state and takes its
place alongside the slave states.
7th US
Flag in 1836
During the last months of President Andrew Jackson’s
administration, Arkansas was admitted to the Union
as the 25th state. On July 4, 1836, a new flag was
flown over the country bearing 25 stars. In the same
year, Texas became an independent nation.
8th US
Flag in 1837
Michigan, since the days of the Revolutionary War,
had been a favorite spot for fur trappers and traders.
The Erie Canal, recently opened, allowed travelers
and pioneers to move from Albany, New York to Lake
Erie. This massive wave of pioneers brought about
a growth in Michigan that enabled it to be admitted
as the 26th state. In addition, Michigan was given
the Upper Peninsula for giving up land claims in Ohio.
9th US
Flag in 1845
Florida was admitted to the Union as the 27th state
in 1845, completed the present Atlantic seaboard of
the United States. Florida had been purchased from
Spain in 1819 after having been a part of the Spanish
Empire for 300 years. The southern expansion of the
United States was now complete and the nation turned
its attention to pushing back western frontiers.
10th US
Flag in 1846
Texas had once been an integral part of the Spanish
domain on the North American continent. Spain controlled
Texas for nearly 300 years until 1821. In 1836, Texas
declared its independence from Mexico and became an
independent nation. In 1845, President James K. Polk
admitted Texas as the 28th state. This action directly
led to war with Mexico and thus fixed the southern
boundary of Texas as the Rio Grande.
11th US
Flag in 1847
In late 1846, the Midwest gave birth to another state
- Iowa. Once a part of the Louisiana Purchase, Iowa
was admitted to the Union as a free state to become
the first free state to come from that purchase. An
uprising by the Sioux Indian Nation plagued Iowans
during their early years of statehood.
12th US
Flag in 1848
Wisconsin preserved the balance that was precariously
being kept between free and slave states when admitted
to the Union in 1848. There were 15 free and 15 slave
states in 1848. During the drive for statehood, the
Ripon Convention was held, later to be claimed as
the beginnings of the Republican Party.
13th US
Flag in 1851
In 1848, the discovery of gold in the American River
at Sutter’s Mill, CA, touched off the “Gold Rush”
of 1849. This set into motion a tide of settlers.
Previously in 1846, a small group of Americans had
proclaimed California independent from Mexico. The
need for immediate government organization led to
the admission of California as the 31st state in 1850.
14th US
Flag in 1858
In 1851, by the Treaty of Mendota, the Indians gave
up all claims to land in Minnesota and throngs of
settlers swarmed into the territory. There were enough
people in the state to grant admission to the Union
and Minnesota became our 32nd state on May 11th of
that year.
15th US
Flag in 1859
During James K. Polk’s presidential campaign, the
issue was the Oregon Territory. “Fifty-four forty
or Fight” was the slogan. Statehood for Oregon would
mean the consolidation of the Pacific coastline as
members of the United States. In 1859, Oregon became
the 33rd state in the Union. Our 15th flag was raised
that year.
16th US
Flag in 1861
January 29, 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union
as the 34th state. Kansas had been a state for less
than three months when the nation went to war. On
April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries opened fire
on Ft. Sumter and four years of a bitter civil war
battle were fought. This flag was carried into battle
by Union troops until 1863. It carried 34 stars.
17th US
Flag in 1863
As Virginia decided to throw its lot in with the new
Confederacy, several northwestern counties of the
state decided to remain loyal to the Union. The result
was the formation of a new state, West Virginia, marking
the first time a new state has resulted from a rebellion
against the original state. This fledgling was admitted
as the 35th state, June 20, 1863.
18th US
Flag in 1865
The Confederate States of America were in their last
hours when Nevada was admitted to the Union as the
36th state. Because the war was ending with the victory
of the Union, little jubilation went up for the admittance
of Nevada. Little notice was paid to the fact that
this flag bore 36 stars when it was raised in 1865.
19th US
Flag in 1867
Nebraska applied for admission into the nation as
the Reconstruction era opened in American history.
A bitter struggle developed between President Andrew
Johnson and Congress. President Johnson vetoed the
bill making Nebraska the 37th state, but Congress
overrode the veto. Nebraska became the 37th state
in 1867 and the 37th star on our flag.
20th US
Flag in 1877
Gold was discovered in the Colorado Territory in 1858
bringing in thousands of new settlers. Hostile Indians
and the extremely hard terrain of the country did
not deter the new pioneers. With them, they brought
the determination to become a state and in 1876, Colorado
was admitted as the 38th state.
21st US
Flag in 1890
With the admission of North Dakota, South Dakota,
Montana, Washington and Idaho in 1889-90, five new
stars were added to our flag. These states were the
last of the Northwest Territories to become states
and completed the expansion of the country along the
Canadian border. Completion of railroads speeded the
growth of these states.
22nd US
Flag in 1891
The twenty-first flag was obsolete six days after
it was raised. On July 10, 1890, Wyoming was admitted
to the Union as the 44th state. Wyoming had become
a territory in 1845 when Texas was annexed to the
United States and relinquished its claim to this area.
On July 4th, 1891, the twenty-second flag was raised
with 44 stars.
23rd US
Flag in 1896
Utah became a territory of the United States in 1848.
Its first constitution was established in 1849 as
the Mormon state of the Deseret. Congress changed
the name to Utah in 1850, and a running argument began
between Utah and the U.S. Congress over the question
of polygamy. In 1890, the Mormon Church outlawed this
practice and in 1896, Utah became the 45th state.
24th US
Flag in 1908
The Indian Territory of Oklahoma was opened to settlers
in 1889 and resulted in the first Oklahoma land run.
Thousands of settlers, farmers, ranchers and pioneers
rushed into the new territory to begin a new life.
This migration resulted in the admission of Oklahoma
to the Union on November 16, 1907, as the 46th state.
25th US
Flag in 1912
In 1912, New Mexico and Arizona were the 47th and
48th continental states admitted into the union. The
48-star flag came into existence in that year and
lasted for 47 years, longer than any other US flag.
Under this banner we fought World War I, World War
II and the Korean War.
26th US
Flag in 1959
On July 7, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed
the bill making Alaska the 49th state of the Union.
The admission of Alaska marked the first time a state
had been admitted that had not been in the continental
United States. Secretary of State William Seward purchased
Alaska from Russia for $7 million, or two cents an
acre. Alaska became the 49th star.
27th US
Flag in 1960
At Hawaii’s request in 1898, Hawaii was annexed by
the United States. In 1903, the territorial legislature
petitioned Congress for admission to the Union, but
was denied. Not much was thought of Hawaii until the
bombing of Pearl Harbor when Americans realized what
an integral part of the U.S. Hawaii was. On March
18, 1959, Hawaii became our 50th state and the last
star in the flag.
Respect
for the Flag
• The flag should always be carried upright, aloft
and free.
• The flag should be displayed high above and free
of anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor,
water or merchandise.
• The flag should always be allowed to fall freely.
Use bunting - not the U.S. flag - to drape, festoon,
draw back or hang in folds as decoration. Bunting
of blue, white and red - always arranged with the
blue above, the white in the middle and the red below
- should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping
the front of the platform and so on.
• The flag should be treated with respect. Protect
it from being easily torn, soiled or damaged in any
way when fastening, displaying or storing it.
• All parts of the flag should be kept completely
free of markings, insignias, letters, words, figures,
designs, pictures or drawings of any nature not inherent
in its creation.
• The flag should not be used as an informal covering
for a ceiling.
What the
Flag means A flag, an inanimate object made of stitched
cloth, means as much as people will let it mean to
them. Through two centuries of American heritage,
our national flag has come to stand for the people,
the ideas, the government, and national honor and
glory of the United States. Our flag has endured through
many years of hardship and toil. It is known and respected
throughout the world. It has come to be the beacon
of democracy, freedom, liberty and justice, and it
is to this banner the countless millions came from
all over the world in their search for political and
religious freedom. Perhaps the modern American has
come to take for granted the proud Stars and Stripes.
Perhaps the notion that our flag means nothing more
than mom’s apple pie and the Fourth of July picnic
has been allowed to live too long. Let us not forget
that this flag was born of blood and has been preserved
by blood. This flag is the symbol of liberty and the
cost of liberty is dear indeed.
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