What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than to proudly display our flag in your windshield? It represents all things America. Its iconic stature is a symbol of freedom and liberty to the rest of the world.
Interesting facts behind Old Glory
Do you know how our flag’s configuration was adopted? There is much argument and dubious collateral about Old Glory’s evolution. Everything from the first flag flown to who was part of the decision to officially create its design. Let’s step back 245 years. At that time, there wasn’t one singular flag that represented all that fought for our nation’s independence.
The 1776 Betsy Ross flag
According to legend, Betsy Ross was purportedly asked by General George Washington to sew the first flag for the Continental Army. It is plausible she actually met with Washington as both attended the same church. Although she wasn’t credited with that accolade until 1870, she was credited with changing the six-point star, that had been brandished in the first few flags made as there was no “official” requirement, to the established official five-point star. On June 14, 1777, the second Continental Congress passed a resolution that our flag officially be comprised of 13 alternating red and white stripes representing the then 13 original colonies, and the union be 13 white stars on a blue field. June 14th becomes what we know today as Flag Day.
Jump to the 1950’s
Since our first 13-star design, twenty-six flags evolved each representing the addition of states until the official fifty-star flag we herald today was celebrated in July 1960. Well into Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency, a dilemma occurred – how to add one star for Alaska and then one more representing Hawaii, as each would alter the then forty-eight flag official design. This challenge soon caught the public’s attention. Over the next few years more than 3,000 unsolicited drawings and sewn mock-ups were submitted to the White House, Congress and federal agencies. It is reported that Eisenhower commissioned a military and civilian committee to find the winning candidate (a flag of five rows of six stars staggered with four rows of five stars).
Three of the more interesting finalists
The Veterans of Foreign Wars endorsed this circle of stars, which they say represented unbroken unity, ringing a large star which stood for the polar star of Divine Guidance for our nation.
The second design of high interest was this with the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST,
The design, considered most unique, was the “1776” configuration of all fifty state’s stars submitted by Estell Arthur Owens, January 21, 1959. There are seven more finalist submissions you can view on the Eisenhower Presidential Library Museum website.
According to NAVA, North American Vexillogical Association, the colors of our flag represents:
- Red: valor and bravery
- White: purity and innocence
- Blue: vigilance, perseverance, and justice
Old Glory today
The current official fifty-star flag was officially raised for the first time on July 4, 1960, at Fort McHenry, the place where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “Star Spangled Banner”. Can you imagine if our flag hadn’t been officially specified what Old Glory might look like today?
If you are interested in sifting through the dubious data regarding Old Glory, its symbolism and history you may google any of the following:
North American Vexillogical Association, NAVA.org, the Eisenhower Presidential Library Museum, usflagdepot.com (for National Historic Registry flags) and History.com/American Revolution and Betsy Ross.
Read the edited article published on July 2, 2021 here: On this patriotic weekend, the history of Old Glory is important to remember – RV Travel
Kate Doherty has been writing for more than 30 years in technical and general media. In her previous business, she and her spouse dealt with special projects within the military/government sector. Recently she published “Masquerade: A Logan Scott Novel” under the pen name Bryan Alexander, a thriller now available in eBook and paperback on Amazon. It’s a page-turner!