Flag of the United States of America
 | | Names | The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory | | Use | National flag and ensign.
 | | Proportion | 10:19 | | Adopted | June 14, 1777 (13-star version)
July 4, 1960 (50-star version) | | Design | Thirteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white; in the canton, 50 white stars on a blue field | | Designed by | Various | The flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The creator of the U.S. Flag is popularly considered to be Betsy Ross. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states and the 13 stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies that rebelled against the British crown and became the first states in the Union.[1] Nicknames for the flag include the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory,[2] and the Star-Spangled Banner (also the name of the country's official national anthem). Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...
This is an incomplete list of names used for specific flags, either as officially designated titles or traditional nicknames. ...
The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ...
The Dannebrog, national flag of Denmark, is the oldest state flag still in use. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_111111. ...
is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Image File history File links US_Naval_Jack. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_000010. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing United States nationality flown on the jackstaff in the bow of its vessels. ...
Image File history File links Naval_Jack_of_the_United_States. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_000001. ...
US First Navy Jack In the fall of 1775, as the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued, in a set of fleet signals, an instruction directing his vessels to fly a striped Jack and Ensign. ...
For other uses, see Flag (disambiguation). ...
For other uses, see Red (disambiguation). ...
This article is about the color. ...
This article is about the colour. ...
The design and description of flags typically uses specialised flag terminology with precise and technical meanings, and is hence a form of jargon. ...
The star, as an ideograph, most commonly represents the astronomical star for which it is named. ...
The Betsy Ross Flag The Betsy Ross Flag is an early design of American Flag popularly attributed to Betsy Ross using the common motifs of alternating red-and-white striped field with white stars in a blue canton. ...
Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of...
In 1775, the British claimed authority over the red and pink areas on this map and Spain ruled the orange. ...
This article is about the monarchy of the United Kingdom, one of sixteen that share a common monarch; for information about this constitutional relationship, see Commonwealth realm; for information on the reigning monarch, see Elizabeth II. For information about other Commonwealth realm monarchies, as well as other relevant articles, see...
The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States. ...
Because of its symbolism, the starred blue canton is called the "union". This part of the national flag can stand alone as a maritime flag called the Union Jack[3] which served as the U.S. jack on warships from 1777 until 2002. It continues to be used as a jack by various federally-owned vessels, including those of the Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A maritime flag is a flag designated for use on boats and other watercraft. ...
The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing United States nationality flown on the jackstaff in the bow of its vessels. ...
The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing United States nationality flown on the jackstaff in the bow of its vessels. ...
USCG HH-65 Dolphin USCG HH-60J JayHawk USCG HC-130H departs Mojave USCG HC-130H on International Ice Patrol duties The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is at all times a branch of the U.S. military, a maritime law enforcement agency, and a federal regulatory body. ...
The Military Sealift Command (MSC) is a United States Navy (USN) organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. ...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ...
[edit] Symbolism The flag of the United States is one of the nation's widely recognized and used symbols. Within the U.S. it is frequently displayed, not only on public buildings, but on private residences, as well as iconically in forms such as decals for car windows, and clothing ornaments such as badges and lapel pins. Throughout the world it is used in public discourse to refer to the U.S., both as a nation state, government, and set of policies, but also as an ideology and set of ideas.
Many understand the flag to represent the freedoms and rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights and perhaps most of all to be a symbol of individual and personal liberty as set forth in the Declaration of Independence. The flag is a complex and contentious symbol, around which emotions run high. Wikisource has original text related to this article: The United States Constitution The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. ...
The United States Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. ...
The United States Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the Thirteen Colonies in North America were Free and Independent States and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to...
The three main colors of the flag are Red, White, and Blue. Red represents hardiness and valor; White represents innocence and purity; while Blue represents perseverance, justice, and vigilance. The flag also has 13 stripes which are representative of the 13 Original Colonies that signed the Declaration of Independence. The 50 stars that lie on a blue background represent the 50 states that are part of present day America. The Stripes are also representative of the rays that emanated from the sun while the stars are also seen as being symbolic of the heavens; the highest place that a person could aim to reach. George Washington is credited for saying: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty."[4] George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ...
For an explanation of terms such as Scotland, Wales, England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom, see British Isles (terminology). ...
[edit] Design
[edit] Specification The basic design of the flag is specified by 4 U.S.C. § 1 with 4 U.S.C. § 2 outlining the addition of new stars representing new states. The
specification gives the following values: Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States_specification. ...
Title 4 of the United States Code outlines the role of Flag of the United States, Great Seal of the United States, Washington, DC, and the States in the United States Code. ...
Title 4 of the United States Code outlines the role of Flag of the United States, Great Seal of the United States, Washington, DC, and the States in the United States Code. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States_specification. ...
- Hoist (width) of the flag: A = 1.0
- Fly (length) of the flag: B = 1.9
- Hoist (width) of the Union: C = 0.5385 (A x 7/13, spanning seven stripes)
- Fly (length) of the Union: D = 0.76 (B × 2/5, two fifths of the flag length)
- E = F = 0.0538 (C/10, One tenth the height of the field of stars)
- G = H = 0.0633 (D/12, One twelfth the width of the field of stars)
- Diameter of star: K = 0.0616
- Width of stripe: L = 0.0769 (A/13, One thirteenth of the flag width)
[edit] Flag ratios Note that the flag ratio (B/A in the diagram) is not absolutely fixed. Although the diagram in Executive Order 10834 gives a ratio of 1.9, earlier in the order is a list of flag sizes authorized for executive agencies. This list permits eleven specific flag sizes (specified by height and width) for such agencies: 20.00 × 38.00; 10.00 × 19.00; 8.95 × 17.00; 7.00 × 11.00; 5.00 × 9.50; 4.33 × 5.50; 3.50 × 6.65; 3.00 × 4.00; 3.00 × 5.70; 2.37 × 4.50; and 1.32 × 2.50. Eight of these sizes conform to the 1.9 ratio, within a small rounding error (less than 0.01). However, three of the authorized sizes vary significantly: 1.57 (for 7.00 × 11.00), 1.27 (for 4.33 × 5.50) and 1.33 (for 3.00 × 4.00).
[edit] Colors According to Flags of the World, the colours are specified by the General Services Administration "Federal Specification, Flag, National, United States of America and Flag, Union Jack," DDD-F-416E, dated November 27, 1981. It gives the colors by reference to "Standard Color Cards of America" maintained by The Color Association of the United States, Inc., as: Flags of the World (or FOTW) is an Internet-based vexillological organization and resource. ...
The General Services Administration (GSA) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1949 to help manage and support the basic functioning of federal agencies. ...
The jack of the United States is a maritime flag representing United States nationality flown on the jackstaff in the bow of its vessels. ...
is the 331st day of the year (332nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ...
The Color Association of the United States (CAUS) is an independent color forecasting and consulting service to the business community. ...
| Colour | Cable color | Pantone[5] | Web Colour[6] | RGB Values | | Dark Red | 70180 | 193 C | #BF0A30 | (191,10,48) | | White | 70001 | Safe | #FFFFFF | (255,255,255) | | Navy Blue | 70075 | 281 C | #002868 | (0,40,104) | For the record label, see Pantone Music. ...
Authors of web pages have a variety of options available for specifying colors for elements of web documents. ...
[edit] Design of the union When Alaska and Hawaii were being considered for statehood, more than 1,500 designs were spontaneously submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower by Americans. Although some of them were 49-star versions, the vast majority were 50-star proposals. At least three, and probably more, of these designs were identical to the present design of the 50-star flag. These designs are in the Eisenhower Presidential Archives in Abilene, Kansas. Only a small fraction of them have ever been published. For other uses, see Alaska (disambiguation). ...
This article is about the U.S. State. ...
Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ...
Dwight David Eisenhower, born David Dwight Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), nicknamed Ike, was a five-star General in the United States Army and U.S. politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953–1961). ...
The Eisenhower Presidential Center includes the Eisenhower presidential library, President Dwight David Eisenhowers boyhood home, Museum, and gravesite. ...
Abilene is a city in Dickinson County, Kansas, United States, 163 miles (262 km) west of Kansas City. ...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
One legend states the union of the current 50-star flag was designed by Robert G. Heft in 1958 while living with his grandparents in Ohio. He was 18 years old at the time and did the flag design as a class project. His mother was a seamstress, but refused to do any of the work for him. He originally received a B- for the project. After discussing the grade with his teacher, it was agreed (somewhat jokingly) that if the flag was accepted by Congress, the grade would be reconsidered. Heft's flag design was chosen and adopted by presidential proclamation after Alaska and before Hawaii was admitted into the union in 1959. He got an A.[7] Robert G. Heft is the designer of the 50-star flag, and the proposed 51-star flag for the United States of America. ...
This article is about the U.S. State. ...
At the time, credit was given by the Executive Department to the U.S. Army Bureau of Heraldry for the design. The United States Federal Executive Departments are among the oldest primary units of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States—the Departments of State, War, and the Treasury all being established within a few weeks of each other in 1789. ...
The Institute of Heraldry Insignia The United States Army Institute of Heraldry furnishes heraldic services to the U.S. Armed Forces and other United States government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President. ...
[edit] Decoration Traditionally, the flag may be decorated with golden fringe surrounding the perimeter of the flag itself as long as it does not deface the flag proper. Ceremonial displays of the flag, such as those in parades or on indoor posts, often utilize fringe to enhance the beauty of the flag. The first recorded use of fringe on a flag dates from 1835, and the Army used it officially in 1895. No specific law governs the legality of fringe, but a 1925 opinion of the attorney general addresses the use of fringe (and the number of stars)"...is at the discretion of the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy..." as quoted from footnote in previous volumns of Title 4 of the United States Code law books and is a source for claims that such a flag is a military ensign not civilian. The United States Army Institute of Heraldry, which has official custody of the flag designs, and makes any such change ordered, also confirms that there are no implications of symbolism in the use of fringe.[8] Gold is a shade of the color yellow closest to that of gold metal. ...
A fringe is an ornamental appendage to the border of an item, such as a flag. ...
United States Marines on parade. ...
The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ...
Seal of the United States Department of Justice The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice (see 28 U.S.C. § 503) concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. ...
Title 4 of the United States Code outlines the role of Flag of the United States, Great Seal of the United States, Washington, DC, and the States in the United States Code. ...
The Institute of Heraldry Insignia The United States Army Institute of Heraldry furnishes heraldic services to the U.S. Armed Forces and other United States government organizations, including the Executive Office of the President. ...
[edit] Flag etiquette -
The United States Flag Code outlines certain guidelines for the use, display, and disposal of the flag. For example, the flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless it is the ensign responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. (This tradition comes from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, where countries were asked to dip their flag to King Edward VII: the American team captain Martin Sheridan refused, famously proclaiming that "this flag dips to no earthly king."[9]). The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground and, if flown at night, must be illuminated. If the edges become tattered through wear, the flag should be repaired or replaced. When a flag is so tattered that can no longer serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. The American Legion and other organizations regularly conduct dignified flag-burning ceremonies, often on Flag Day, June 14 Wikisource has original text related to this article: United States Flag Code The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the American Flag. ...
Wikisource has original text related to this article: United States Flag Code The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the American Flag. ...
Ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy. ...
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the IV Olympiad, were held in 1908 in London, England. ...
This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ...
Edward VII (Albert Edward; 9 November 1841 – 6 May 1910) was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of the British Dominions beyond the Seas, and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death on 6 May 1910. ...
Martin Sheridan (born March 28, 1881 in Treenduff, Ireland – died March 27, 1918) is a former athlete from the United States, who came as a sixteen year old to the US. He won the discus throw event at the 1904 Summer Olympics. ...
is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Although the Flag Code is U.S. Federal law, there is no penalty for failure to comply with the Flag Code and it is not widely enforced—indeed, punitive enforcement would conflict with the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. Passage of the proposed Flag Desecration Amendment would overrule legal precedent that has been established in this area. The first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. ...
This article is about the general concept. ...
The Flag Desecration Amendment, often referred to as the flag burning amendment, is a controversial proposed constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution that would allow the United States Congress to statutorily prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. ...
[edit] Folding the flag
 Folding the U.S. flag Though not part of the official Flag Code, according to military custom flags should be folded into a triangular shape when not in use. (The Philippines, a former American territory, also has this custom for folding its flag.) To properly fold the flag: Image File history File links Fold-us-flag-animated. ...
For other uses, see American Empire (disambiguation). ...
- Begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
- Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.
- Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
- Make a rectangular fold then a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag. Starting the fold from the left side over to the right
- Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
- The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner (usually thirteen triangular folds, as shown at right). On the final fold, any remnant that does not neatly fold into a triangle (or in the case of exactly even folds, the last triangle) is tucked into the previous fold.
- When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.
[edit] Display The flag is customarily flown year-round at most public buildings, and it is not unusual to find private houses flying full-size flags. Some private use is year-round, but becomes widespread on civic holidays like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day, and on Independence Day. On Memorial Day it is common to place small flags by war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war veterans. Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ...
For Veterans Day in the United Kingdom, see Veterans Day UK. President Eisenhower signs HR7786, officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day. ...
Presidents Day is the common name for the United States federal holiday officially designated as Washingtons Birthday. ...
Flag of the United States In the United States, Flag Day (more formally, National Flag Day) is celebrated on June 14. ...
These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ...
[edit] Places of continuous display By presidential proclamation, acts of Congress, and custom, American flags are displayed continuously at certain locations. Image File history File links Apollo_14_Shepard. ...
Image File history File links Apollo_14_Shepard. ...
For other persons named Alan Shepard, see Alan Shepard (disambiguation). ...
This article is about Earths moon. ...
Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the Apollo program and the third mission to land on the Moon. ...
- Replicas of the Star Spangled Banner Flag (15 stars, 15 stripes) are flown at two sites in Baltimore, Maryland: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Presidential Proclamation No. 2795, July 2, 1948) and Flag House Square (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).
- United States Marine Corps War Memorial (Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No. 3418, June 12, 1961).
- Lexington, Massachusetts Town Green (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965).
- The White House, Washington, DC (Presidential Proclamation No. 4000, September 4, 1970).
- Fifty U.S. Flags are displayed continuously at the Washington Monument, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No. 4064, July 6, 1971, effective July 4, 1971).
- By order of Richard Nixon at United States Customs Service Ports of Entry that are continuously open (Presidential Proclamation No. 4131, May 5, 1972).
- By Congressional decree, a Civil War era flag (for the year 1863) flies above Pennsylvania Hall (Old Dorm) at Gettysburg College. This building, occupied by both sides at various points of the Battle of Gettysburg, served as a lookout and battlefield hospital.
- Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge NHP, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).
- Mount Slover limestone quarry (Colton Liberty Flag), in Colton, California (Act of Congress). First raised July 4, 1917.[10]
- Washington Camp Ground, part of the former Middlebrook encampment, Bridgewater, New Jersey, Thirteen Star Flag, by Act of Congress.
- By custom, at the Maryland home, birthplace, and grave of Francis Scott Key; at the Worcester, Massachusetts war memorial; at the plaza in Taos, New Mexico (since 1861); at the United States Capitol (since 1918); and at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota.
- On the south pole, in the center of the Antartctic, an American flag is posted seperate from the cluster of worldwide flags.
- In addition, the American flag is on continual display on the surface of the Moon, having been placed there by the astronauts of Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 14, Apollo 15, Apollo 16, and Apollo 17. It is possible that Apollo 11's flag was knocked down by the exhaust force of liftoff for return to lunar orbit.
The Star Spangled Banner Flag is the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. ...
Baltimore redirects here. ...
Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area Ranked 42nd - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²) - Width 101 miles (145 km) - Length 249 miles (400 km) - % water 21 - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N...
Fort McHenry Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay. ...
is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Flag House & Star-Spangled Banner Museum is the 1793 home of Mary Pickersgill where she sewed the Star Spangled Banner, the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in the summer of 1813 during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. ...
March 26 is the 85th day of the year (86th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue located near the Arlington National Cemetery in Rosslyn, Virginia, United States. ...
Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, by Joe Rosenthal / The Associated Press. ...
Arlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Virginia (which calls itself a commonwealth), directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. By an act of Congress July 9, 1846, the area south of the Potomac was returned to Virginia effective in 1847 As of 2000...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Location in Middlesex County in Massachusetts Coordinates: , Country State County Middlesex Settled 1642 Incorporated 1713 Government - Type Representative town meeting Area - Total 16. ...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ...
For other uses, see White House (disambiguation). ...
Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...
is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article is about the monument in Washington, D.C. For other monuments dedicated to George Washington, see Washington Monuments (world). ...
is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ...
Nixon redirects here. ...
The United States Customs Service (now part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP) was the portion of the US Federal Government dedicated to keeping illegal products outside of US borders. ...
is the 125th day of the year (126th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Gettysburg College is a private national four-year liberal arts college founded in 1832, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, adjacent to the famous battlefield. ...
Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America Commanders George G. Meade Robert E. Lee Strength 93,921[1] 71,699[2] Casualties 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured/missing)[1] 23,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured/missing...
This article is about the National Historical Park. ...
The Village of Valley Forge is an unincorporated settlement located just outside of Valley Forge National Historic Park in Schuylkill Township of Chester County, Pennsylvania. ...
This article is about the U.S. State. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Colton Liberty Flag is an American flag which is flown continuously over Mt. ...
Colton is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. ...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...
Thirteen Star Flag at Middlebrook encampment is displayed continuously The Middlebrook encampment refers to the seasonal encampment of the Continental Army during the American War for Independence at a site near Martinsville, New Jersey that straddles the ridge of the First Watchung mountains. ...
Bridgewater Township is a township located in Somerset County, New Jersey. ...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Largest metro area Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area Area Ranked 42nd - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²) - Width 101 miles (145 km) - Length 249 miles (400 km) - % water 21 - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N...
Francis Scott Key Maryland Historical Society plaque marking the birthplace of Francis Scott Key Fort McHenry looking towards the position of the British ships (with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the distance on the upper left) Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer...
For other uses, see Worcester (disambiguation). ...
This article is about the U.S. state. ...
[edit] History Located in Taos, New Mexico. ...
Taos (IPA: ) is a city in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico. ...
Capital Santa Fe Largest city Albuquerque Largest metro area Albuquerque metropolitan area Area Ranked 5th - Total 121,665 sq mi (315,194 km²) - Width 342 miles (550 km) - Length 370 miles (595 km) - % water 0. ...
The United States Capitol is the capitol building that serves as the location for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. ...
Wild Bill Hickoks Gravesite Mount Moriah Cemetery on Mount Moriah in Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota is the burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock, and other notable figures of the Wild West. ...
A photograph of Deadwood in 1876. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Pierre Largest city Sioux Falls Area Ranked 17th - Total 77,116[1] sq mi (199,905 km²) - Width 210 miles (340 km) - Length 380 miles (610 km) - % water 1. ...
For other moons in the solar system see natural satellite. ...
This article covers the Apollo 11 mission itself. ...
Apollo 12 was the sixth manned mission in the Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon. ...
Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the Apollo program and the third mission to land on the Moon. ...
Apollo 15 was the ninth manned mission in the Apollo program and the fourth mission to land on the Moon. ...
Apollo 16 was the tenth manned mission in the Apollo program and the fifth mission to land on the Moon. ...
Apollo 17 was the eleventh manned space mission in the NASA Apollo program. ...
[edit] Particular days of display The flag should especially be displayed at full staff on the following days: is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article is about the date January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For other uses, see Abraham Lincoln (disambiguation). ...
Presidents Day (also styled Presidents Day or Presidents Day) is the common name for the United States federal holiday officially designated as Washingtons Birthday. ...
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ...
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ...
is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
This article is about the holiday in the United States. ...
is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator, colonizer, and explorer and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas after the Vikings. ...
is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated in much of North America, generally observed as an expression of gratitude, usually to God. ...
Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ...
[edit] When Displaying the flag at half staff The US Flag is displayed at half staff as a sign of respect or mourning. Nationwide, this action is proclaimed by the president of the United States; state-wide or territory-wide, the proclamation is made by the governor. In addition, there is no prohibition against municipal governments, private businesses or citizens flying the flag at half staff as a local sign of respect and mourning. President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first proclamation on March 1, 1954 standardizing the dates and time periods for flying the flag at half staff from all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels; other congressional resolutions and presidential proclamations ensued. However, they are only guidelines to all other entities: typically followed at state and local government facilities, and encouraged of private businesses and citizens. Dwight David Eisenhower, born David Dwight Eisenhower (October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969), nicknamed Ike, was a five-star General in the United States Army and U.S. politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953–1961). ...
is the 60th day of the year (61st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
To properly fly the US flag at half staff, the protocol is to first hoist it briskly to full staff, then reverently (slowly) lower it to half-staff. Similarly, when the flag is to be lowered from half staff, it should be first hoisted briskly to full staff, then lowered reverently to the base of the flagpole.
Federal guidelines state the flag should be flown at half staff at the following dates/times:
- May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day
- Last Monday in May - Memorial Day (until noon)
- July 27 - Korean War Veterans Day
- September 11 - Patriot Day[11]
- December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- For 30 days - Death of a US President or former President
- For 10 days - Death of a US Vice President, Supreme Court Chief Justice/retired Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- From death until the day of interment - US Supreme Court Associate Justice, member of the Cabinet, former Vice President, President pro-tempore of the Senate, or the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives. Also for federal facilities within a state or territory, for the governor.
- On the day after the death - US Senators, Members of Congress, territorial delegates or the resident commissioner of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico
is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is a United States observation that pays tribute to the local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers. ...
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). ...
is the 208th day of the year (209th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
The date that commonly refers to the attacks on United States citizens on September 11, 2001 (see the September 11, 2001 Attacks). ...
For the anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution, see Patriots Day. ...
is the 341st day of the year (342nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
[edit] History - See also: Timeline of the Flag of the United States
The flag has been changed 26 times since the new, 13-state union adopted it. The 48-star version went unchanged for 47 years, the longest time the flag went unmodified until July 4, 2007, when the current 50-star flag broke the record. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...
[edit] First flag
 Grand Union Flag ("Continental Colors"). | |
Flag of the British East India Company, 1707–1801 | At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, the United States had no official national flag. The Grand Union Flag has historically been referred to as the "First National Flag"; although it has never had any official status, it was used throughout the American Revolutionary War by George Washington and formed the basis for the design of the first official US flag. Image File history File links Grand_Union_Flag. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
Image File history File links Flag_of_the_British_East_India_Company_(1707). ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For other uses, see 1776 (disambiguation). ...
Grand Union flag North Carolina Currency, 1776 Painting of flag of East India Company, 1732 The Grand Union Flag, also known as the Congress flag, the First Navy Ensign, The Cambridge Flag, and The Continental Colors is the first true Flag of the United States. ...
This article is about military actions only. ...
George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799)[1] led Americas Continental Army to victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and in 1789 was elected the first President of the United States of America. ...
This flag is properly considered the de facto first naval ensign of the United States. It was first raised aboard Continental Navy Commodore Esek Hopkins' flagship Alfred on the Delaware River on December 3, 1775,[12] possibly (according to his claim) by the ship's senior lieutenant John Paul Jones. National flag and ensign of the United States, 1960–Present. ...
French portrait of Commodore Esek Hopkins Esek Hopkins (26 April 1718 – 26 February 1802), was Commander in Chief of the Fleet throughout the American Revolutionary War. ...
For the Delaware River in Kansas, see Delaware River (Kansas). ...
is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1775 (MDCCLXXV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...
John Paul Jones (July 11, 1747–July 18, 1792) was Americas first well-known naval hero in the American Revolutionary War. ...
The origins of the design are unclear. It closely resembles the British East India Company (BEIC) flag of the same era, and an argument dating to Sir Charles Fawcett in 1937 holds that the BEIC flag indeed inspired the design.[13] However, the BEIC flag could have from 9 to 13 stripes, and was not allowed to be flown outside the Indian Ocean.[14] Both flags could have been easily constructed by adding white stripes to a British Red Ensign, a common flag throughout Britain and its colonies. The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was the first joint-stock company (the Dutch East India Company was the first to issue public stock). ...
Charles Fawcett was a British historian. ...
The Red Ensign, as currently used by the United Kingdoms Merchant Navy The Red Ensign of the United Kingdom in use in London The Red Ensign or Red Duster is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as an ensign flown by the Royal Navy. ...
Another theory holds that the red-and-white stripe—and later, stars-and-stripes—motif of the flag may have been based[citation needed] on the Washington family coat-of-arms, which consisted of a shield "argent, two bars gules, above, three mullets gules" (a white shield with two red bars below three red stars). Image File history File links COA_George_Washington. ...
Image File history File links COA_George_Washington. ...
Arms of the head of the Washington Family The coat of arms of George Washington, President of the United States of America from 1789 to 1797, were first used to identify the family in the twelfth century, when one of George Washingtons ancestors took possession of Washington manor in...
A modern coat of arms is derived from the medi val practice of painting designs onto the shield and outer clothing of knights to enable them to be identified in battle, and later in tournaments. ...
More likely it was based on a flag of the Sons of Liberty, one of which consisted of 13 red and white alternating horizontal stripes. This article discusses the early American patriot group. ...
- See also: Flags of the American Revolution
[edit] The Flag Resolution of 1777 |
13-star "Betsy Ross" flag | On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "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." Flag Day is now observed on June 14 of each year. A false tradition holds that the new flag was first hoisted in June of 1777 by the Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment.[15] Image File history File links US_flag_13_stars_–_Betsy_Ross. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 1777 (MDCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ...
The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States. ...
Flag of the United States In the United States, Flag Day (more formally, National Flag Day) is celebrated on June 14. ...
Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ...
Thirteen Star Flag at Middlebrook encampment is displayed continuously The Middlebrook encampment refers to the seasonal encampment of the Continental Army during the American War for Independence at a site near Martinsville, New Jersey that straddles the ridge of the First Watchung mountains. ...
The Flag Resolution did not specify any particular arrangement for the stars. The pictured flag shows the thirteen stars arranged in a circle, the so-called Betsy Ross flag. Although the Betsy Ross legend is not taken seriously by many historians, the design itself is the oldest version of any US flag to appear on any physical relic[citation needed], since it is historically referenced in contemporary battlefield paintings by John Trumbull and Charles Willson Peale, which depict the circular star arrangement. Popular designs at the time were varied and most were individually crafted rather than mass-produced. Other examples of 13-star arrangements can be found on the Francis Hopkinson flag, the Cowpens flag, and the Brandywine flag. Given the scant archaeological and written evidence, it is unknown which design was the most popular at that time. The Betsy Ross Flag The Betsy Ross Flag is an early design of American Flag popularly attributed to Betsy Ross using the common motifs of alternating red-and-white striped field with white stars in a blue canton. ...
Francis Hopkinson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...
The famous Spirit of 76 painting by Archibald MacNeal Willard features the Cowpens flag (not the Betsy Ross design, which is similar). ...
Brandywine Flag The Brandywine flag was a banner carried by Captain Robert Wilsons company of the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment. ...
The origin of the stars and stripes design is uncertain. A popular story credits Betsy Ross for sewing the first flag from a pencil sketch by George Washington who personally commissioned her for the job. However, no evidence for this theory exists beyond Ross' descendants' much later recollections of what she told her family. Another woman, Rebecca Young, has also been credited as having made the first flag by later generations of her family. Rebecca Young's daughter was Mary Pickersgill, who made the Star Spangled Banner Flag. Another popular theory is that the flag was designed by Francis Hopkinson. Hopkinson was the only person to have made such a claim during his own lifetime, when he sent a bill to Congress for his work. He asked for a "Quarter Cask of the Public Wine" as payment initially. The payment was not made, however, because it was determined he had already received a salary as a member of Congress, and he was not the only person to have contributed to the design. It should be noted that no one else contested his claim at the time. For other persons named Betsy Boss, see Betsy Boss (disambiguation). ...
The Star Spangled Banner Flag is the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. ...
Francis Hopkinson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...
The Flag Resolution of 1777 was probably meant to define U.S. Navy ensigns, rather than a national standard. It appears between other resolutions from the Marine Committee. On 10 May 1779, years after the Flag Resolution was passed, Secretary of the Board of War Richard Peters, Jr. expressed concern "it is not yet settled what is the Standard of the United States."[16] USN redirects here. ...
Richard Peters, Jr. ...
[edit] Later flag acts |
15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" flag | |
48-star flag, is the second longest in use (1912–1959). | - See also: Flag Acts (U.S.)
In 1795, the number of stars and stripes was increased from 13 to 15 (to reflect the entry of Vermont and Kentucky as states of the union). For a time the flag was not changed when subsequent states were admitted, probably because it was thought that this would cause too much clutter. It was the 15-star, 15-stripe flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner," now the national anthem. Image File history File links US_flag_15_stars. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
Image File history File links US_flag_48_stars. ...
Image File history File links FIAV_historical. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (909x588, 150 KB) An Urban Camo American Flag Patch. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (909x588, 150 KB) An Urban Camo American Flag Patch. ...
Cities with at least a million inhabitants in 2006 An urban area is an |
