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A. .HISTORIC DATES
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June 17, 1775
A variety of flags were flown by the colonists initially at
Bunker Hill and during the Revolutionary War.
Several of the original flag makers were: John Hulbert, Cornelia Bridges, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, Rebecca Young, and John Shaw.
June 14, 1777
First Flag Law passed by Congress. Created a national
flag, and pattern of 13 alternating red and white stripes,
with a union of 13 white stars on a blue field.
Second Continental Congress, Philadelphia, PA. "The Stars and Stripes"
"Resolved, ...that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation."
February 4, 1783
Revolutionary War ended, and the new American Flag is
recognized by nations around the world.
May 1, 1795
Second Flag Law passed by Congress. Added two new
stars and stripes to the flag for a total of 15 respectively.
November 17, 1800
The American Flag is first flown over the US Capitol in
Washington DC.
April 4, 1818
Third Flag Act passed by Congress. The design returned
to 13 stripes representing the original colonies. Stars are
automatically added when states are admitted.
"Section 1. Be it enacted, ...that from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternative red and white; that the union have twenty stars, white in a blue field."
"Section 2. And be it further enacted, ...that on the admission of every new State into the Union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth of July next succeeding such admission."
June 14, 1861
First local observance of Flag Day in Connecticut. During
the Civil War, many cities and states began the local
observance of Flag Day.
June 14, 1916
First national Flag Day established in a Presidential
Proclamation by Woodrow Wilson.
March 3, 1931
"Star-Spangled Banner" became the national anthem in
a law signed by President Herbert Hoover.
June 22, 1942
Congress passed the "Flag Code" as a public law.
December 22, 1942
Congress adopted the "Pledge of Allegiance."
August 3. 1949
Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14, officially
is designated as a permanent national observance in a
Presidential Proclamation by Harry Truman.
July 1968
Congress passed additional laws to protect the flag.
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B. .FLAG STARS
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1775-1795. . 1st Design . 13 Stars . Original States.
. . . . . . . . . . . Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
. . . . . . . . . . . Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts,
. . . . . . . . . . . Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire,
. . . . . . . . . . . Virginia, New York, North Carolina,
. . . . . . . . . . . and Rhode Island.
1795-1818. . 2nd Design . 15 Stars
. . . . . . . . . . . Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio,
. . . . . . . . . . . Louisiana, and Indiana.
1818-1819. . 3rd Design . 20 Stars . Mississippi.
1819-1820. . 4th Design . 21 Stars . Illinois.
1820-1822. . 5th Design . 23 Stars
. . . . . . . . . . . Alabama, and Maine.
1822-1836. . 6th Design . 24 Stars . Missouri.
1836-1837. . 7th Design . 25 Stars . Arkansas.
1837-1845. . 8th Design . 26 Stars . Michigan.
1845-1846. . 9th Design . 27 Stars . Florida.
1846-1847 . 10th Design . 28 Stars . Texas.
1847-1848 . 11th Design . 29 Stars . Iowa.
1848-1851 . 12th Design . 30 Stars . Wisconsin.
1851-1858 . 13th Design . 31 Stars . California.
1858-1859 . 14th Design . 32 Stars . Minnesota.
1859-1861 . 15th Design . 33 Stars . Oregon.
1861-1863 . 16th Design . 34 Stars . Kansas.
1863-1865 . 17th Design . 35 Stars . West Virginia.
1865-1867 . 18th Design . 36 Stars . Nevada.
1867-1877 . 19th Design . 37 Stars . Nebraska.
1877-1890 . 20th Design . 38 Stars . Colorado.
1890-1891 . 21st Design . 43 Stars
. . . . . . . . . . North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana,
. . . . . . . . . . Washington, and Idaho.
1891-1896 . 22nd Design . 44 Stars . Wyoming.
1896-1908 . 23rd Design . 45 Stars . Utah.
1908-1912 . 24th Design . 46 Stars . Oklahoma.
1912-1959 . 25th Design . 48 Stars
. . . . . . . . . . New Mexico, and Arizona.
1959-1960 . 26th Design . 49 Stars . Alaska.
1960- . . . . . 27th Design . 50 Stars . Hawaii.
(States are in chronological order by date of admittance.)
The following name references are often given to these flags.
"Stars and Stripes". . . . . . any version . since 1777.
"Star-Spangled Banner". . 15 stars. . . . 1795-1818.
"Old Glory". . . . . . . . . . . any version. . since 1822.
"Civil War Flag" . . . . . . . 34-35 stars . 1861-1865.
There were several Confederate flags, often called the "Stars and Bars," flown from 1861-1865 during the War Between the States. The Battle Flag was called "The Southern Cross," and there were also three Confederate National Flags.
In World Wars I and II, the 48 star flag was in service, also it represented the nation for nearly 50 years.
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C. .DISPLAY GUIDELINES
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The first Federal Flag Code was passed by Congress in June 1942 to provide uniform guidelines. This is a brief summary, including amendments.
a. The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset,
. . and after dark if properly illuminated.
b. Locations could be from buildings on poles, or from
. . flagstaffs in the open.
c. All days the flag could be displayed, particularly on
. . specific holidays,
. . New Year's Day (January 1).
. . Inauguration Day (January 20).
. . Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January).
. . Lincoln's Birthday (February 12).
. . President's Day (third Monday in February).
. . Washington's Birthday (February 22).
. . Easter Sunday (date varies annually).
. . Mother's Day (second Sunday in May).
. . Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May).
. . Memorial Day (last Monday in May).
. . . . Display at half-staff until noon.
. . Flag Day (June 14).
. . Independence Day (July 4).
. . Labor Day (first Monday in September).
. . Constitution Day (September 17).
. . Columbus Day (second Monday in October).
. . Veteran's Day (November 11).
. . Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November).
. . Christmas Day (December 25).
. . And, any state holidays, and the anniversary date
. . of admittance by Congress.
d. Locations should be near the main entrance to the
. . building or dwelling.
e. There should be no flag higher than the American Flag.
f. The flag should never touch the ground, floor, or water.
g. It should not be shown disrespect, misused, or be part
. . of wearing apparel.
h. The flag could be refurbished by dry cleaning or
. . washing depending upon the material.
By Presidential Proclamation, flags are displayed 24 hours
a day at the following locations.
Fort McHenry National Monument, Baltimore, MD.
. . (since July 2, 1948)
Flag House Square, Baltimore, MD.
. . (since March 26, 1954)
US Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, VA.
. . (since June 12, 1961)
Lexington Town Green, Lexington, MA.
. . (since November 8, 1965)
The White House, Washington, DC.
. . (since September 4, 1970)
Washington Monument, Washington, DC.
. . (since July 4, 1971)
Valley Forge National Memorial, Valley Forge, PA.
. . (since July 4, 1975)
Additional flag display information.
At the US Capitol, flags are flown at the east and west fronts 24 hours a day, since World War I.
At the Francis Scott Key birth and grave sites, the 15 star 1795-1818 flag, "Star-Spangled Banner," is continuously flown in Keysville, MD, and at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD, respectively,
The original "Star-Spangled Banner" flown in 1814 at Fort McHenry was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1907, and is preserved on permanent display inside the Museum of American History.
At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, over an emblem of the five military services, the flag is flown 24 hours a day.
Since World War II, when first raised by US Marines on Iwo Jima, the flag is continuously displayed on top of Mount Suribachi.
Flags are also displayed 24 hours a day at US Customs Ports of Entry that are continuously open.
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D. .PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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by Francis Bellamy and John B. Upham, 1892.
The "Pledge of Allegiance" was written to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It was published in September 1892 in the "Youth's Companion" for the public school celebration of Columbus Day, October 12, 1892.
"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands - one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
As amended June 14, 1923.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
As amended June 14, 1954.
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
TOP
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E. .STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
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by Francis Scott Key, September 13-14, 1814.
"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?"
"On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
'Tis the star-spangled banner,
Oh, long may it wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and battle's confusion,
A home and a country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave,
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!"
"Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd home, and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land,
Praise the Power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - In God is our Trust;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!"
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F. .THE AMERICAN'S CREED
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by William Tyler Page, August 1917.
This creed was selected through a national contest conducted in 1917. Written by William Tyler Page of Friendship Heights (Chevy Chase), MD, by April 1918 it was officially accepted by Congress.
"I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a Democracy in a Republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes."
"I therefore, believe it is my duty to my Country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies."
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G. .FLAG DAY ADDRESS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by President Woodrow Wilson, June 14, 1917.
"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us - speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."
"We celebrate the day of its birth; and from its birth until now it has witnessed a great history, has floated on high the symbol of great events, of a great plan of life worked out by a great people..."
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H. .COLUMBIA, GEM OF THE OCEAN
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by David T. Shaw and Thomas Beckett, 1843.
Also known as, "The Red, White, and Blue."
"O Columbia the gem of the ocean,
The home of the brave, and the free.
The shrine of each patriot's devotion,
A world offers homage to thee."
"Thy mandates make heroes assemble,
When liberty's form stands in view;
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white, and blue."
"When borne by the red, white, and blue.
When borne by the red, white, and blue.
Thy banners make tyranny tremble,
When borne by the red, white, and blue."
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I. .GRAND OLD FLAG
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by George M. Cohan, 1906.
Presented in the musical, "George Washington, Jr."
"You're a grand old flag, 'You're a high flying flag,'
And forever in peace may you wave."
"You're the emblem of the land I love,
The home of the free and the brave."
"Every heart beats true under Red, White, and Blue,
Where there's never a boast or brag.
"But should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag."
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J. FLAG TERMS
* * * * * * * * * *
Hoist. . .Inner vertical edge of the flag closest to the pole.
Fly . . . .Outer vertical edge of the flag opposite the hoist.
Width . .Vertical flag dimension.
Length. .Horizontal flag dimension.
Field. . .Open interior of the flag.
Union . .Area with stars or symbols, usually in one corner.
. . . . . . .Also, often called the Canton.
TOP
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K. .ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"US Flags Over Washington DC" is a not-for-profit organization promoting interests in the American Flag and historic sites in the Nation's Capital.
The organization is dedicated to providing quality flags that have a site specific historic significance,
All orders receive prompt attention to ensure accurate processing and timely delivery.
This service was established by Richard C. Jaffeson, a resident of suburban Washington, DC since 1972. His background is in "Who's Who in the East," and "Who's Who in American Education," by Macmillan Company.
During his career, he served as President, Middle Atlantic Division, Association of American Geographers, twice as Vice President, National Capital Area Chapter, American Planning Association, and on the Board of Regents, American Economic Development Council.
A related historic interest during 1995-1996, Mr. Jaffeson
authored a book on the 300 year history of Silver Spring,
Maryland, a suburb adjacent to Washington, DC. The
previous history was written in 1918 by Gist Blair, son
of Montgomery Blair (Lincoln's Postmaster General, and
attorney for Dred Scott before the Supreme Court). A
special edition of the Silver Spring history was prepared
for Blair Lee IV, son of the former Maryland Governor,
and great great grandson of Elizabeth Blair Lee (sister
of Montgomery Blair). The Blair and Lee families were
the founders of Silver Spring. More information on this
history is available at another website.
www.inc.com/users/silverspring.html
Copyright(c), June 1997, "Flags Over DC."