Flag ratio: 10:19; nicknames: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory

The flag of the United States consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner 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 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB) Subject: Flag of the United States. ... Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB) Subject: Flag of the United States. ... FIAV usage code 63. ... A pentagram, pentacle, pentalpha, or pentangle A pentagram is a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes. ... A flag is a piece of cloth flown from a pole or mast, usually intended for signaling or identification. ... A U.S. state is any one of the 50 states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, together with the District of Columbia, form the United States of America. ... Betsy Ross purportedly sewed the first American flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes representing each of the 13 colonies. ...

The United States flag is commonly called the Stars and Stripes or Old Glory. The name Old Glory was coined in the 1830s, and was of particularly common use during the era of 48-star version (1912 to 1959). Events and Trends Electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday Dutch-speaking farmers known as Voortrekkers emigrate northwards from the Cape Colony Croquet invented in Ireland Railroad construction begins in earnest in the United States Egba refugees fleeing the Yoruba civil wars found the city of Abeokuta in south-west Nigeria... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Traditions

While institutions often display the flag year-round, most homeowners reserve flag display for civic holidays like Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July. On Memorial Day it is common to place small flags by war memorials and next to the graves of U.S. war dead. Relatives and others traditionally place flags near veterans headstones on Memorial Day Memorial Day is a United States public holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May. ... There are 24. ... Presidents Day, officially known as Washingtons Birthday, is a national holiday in the United States of America celebrated on the third Monday of February. ... There are two recognized definitions of the term, Flag Day. ... 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. ...

Symbolism

To many U.S. citizens, their flag symbolizes many things. They have seen it as representing all of the freedoms and rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Perhaps most of all they see it as a symbol of individual and personal liberty like those put forth in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Page I of the Constitution of the United States of America Page II of the United States Constitution Page III of the United States Constitution Page IV of the United States Constitution The Syng inkstand, with which the Constitution was signed The Constitution of the United States is the supreme... The Bill of Rights is the name given to the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. ... U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is a document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ...

The approved method of destroying old and tattered flags consists of burning them in a simple ceremony. The flag is cut into three pieces: first a horizontal cut is made between the seventh and eighth stripes, then a vertical cut separating the star field from the seven shorter stripes. Then the three pieces are typically placed on a pyre as 'Taps' is played. Burning the flag has also been used as a deliberate act of disrespect, at times to protest actions by the United States government, or sometimes in displays of Anti-Americanism. Some groups concerned by these actions have proposed a Flag Burning Amendment that would give Congress the authority to outlaw burning the flag in disrespect or protest. A pyre is a structure, such as a mound of wood, for burning a body as part of a funeral rite. ... TAPS can also refer to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) or the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline (TAP). ... Flag desecration is a blanket term applied to various ways of intentionally defacing or dishonoring a flag, most often a national flag (though other flags are defaced as well). ... 2003 GMO USDA protest Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations: sometimes in favour, more often opposed. ... The government of the United States, established by the United States Constitution, is a federal republic of 50 states, a few territories and some protectorates. ... Anti-Americanism is a term referring to hostility towards or disapproval for the government, culture, history, and/or people of the United States of America. ... The Flag Burning Amendment (or flag desecration amendment) is a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution that would allow the Congress to outlaw, by statute, the physical desecration of the Flag of the United States. ...

Symbolism of the design

When the Second Continental Congress proposed the Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777, there was no particular symbolism attached to the colors or their arrangement on the flag. However, on June 20, 1782, Charles Thompson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, gave a report to the Congress defining the new Great Seal of the United States. A seal must conform to the rules of heraldry, and so meanings were attached to the colors: The Continental Congress was the federal legislature of the Thirteen Colonies and later of the United States from 1774 to 1789, a period that included the American Revolutionary War and the Articles of Confederation. ... The Flag Acts are the three laws which define the design of the Flag of the United States. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... 1782 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Charles Phillip Thompson (born 1918), is an American swing and bebop pianist, organist and arranger. ... Obverse The Great Seal of the United States is used to authenticate certain documents issued by the United States government. ...

The colours of the pales are those used in the flag of the United States of America. White signifies purity and innocence. Red hardiness and valour and Blue the colour of the Chief signifies vigilance perseverance and justice. ^{[ContCong 22:339]}

Originally, both the number of stripes and the number of stars were supposed to represent the number of states. However, this became unwieldy as states were added to the union. During the debate that eventually resulted in the Flag Act of 1818, U.S. Naval Captain Samuel C. Reid suggested that the number of stripes be set at thirteen to represent the original 13 colonies and that only the number of stars be set to the number of states. ^{[USGov 4]} The Flag Acts are the three laws which define the design of the Flag of the United States. ...

A book about the flag published by the Congress in 1977 gives further symbolism for the flag: 1977 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1977 calendar). ...

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. ^[USFlag.org]

Flags with similar design

Some flags from other countries share, at varying degrees, the design and/or color scheme of the United States flag. Several of the flags of the Confederate States of America also reflect the colors and design of the Stars and Stripes. Some examples of national flags sharing elements of the U.S. flag include: Flags of the Confederate States of America - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

Abkhazia (1992—) Flag of Abkhazia by Gvido Petersons File links The following pages link to this file: Abkhazia Flag of the United States Flags of non-sovereign nations Flag of Abkhazia User:Nightstallion/independence movements User:Nightstallion/european integration process (by country) User:Nightstallon/UN peacekeeping missions User:Nightstallion/european integration process... Abkhazia (Abkhaz Аҧсны/Apsny, Georgian აფხაზეთი/Apkhazeti, Russian Абха́зия/Abkhazia) is a region of 8,600 km² (3,300 sq. ... 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...	British East India Company (1600–1858) Flag of the British East India Company, by António Martins, FOTW Flags Of The World website at http://flagspot. ... The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was a joint-stock company of investors, which was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, with the intent to favour trade privileges in India. ... Events January January 1 - Scotland adopts January 1st as being New Years Day February February 17 - Giordano Bruno burned in a stake for heresy July July 2 - Battle of Nieuwpoort: Dutch forces under Maurice of Nassau defeat Spanish forces under Archduke Albert in a battle on the coastal dunes. ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ...	Chile (1817—) General info: Large flag of Chile Dimensions: 453x302 pixels Source: Image originally derived from the public domain License: Originally public domain, modifications under GFDL Most of the flags have had their colours improved and many have been resized to the proper ratios. ... 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...	Uruguay (1828–1830) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Flag of Uruguay Categories: Flag images ... 1828 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1830 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
Liberia (1847—) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...	El Salvador (1869) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Flag of El Salvador Categories: FOTW images ... 1869 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ...	Brazil (November 15–19, 1889) Temporary Brazilian Republican Flag. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... November 19 is the 323rd day of the year (324th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...	Cuba (1902—) General info: Large flag of Cuba Dimensions: 604x302 pixels Source: Image originally derived from the public domain flags of the CIA World Factbook License: Originally public domain, modifications under GFDL Most of the flags have had their colours improved and many have been resized to the proper ratios. ... 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...
West Papua (1961—) {[pd}} File links The following pages link to this file: New Guinea Flags of non-sovereign nations Western New Guinea ... The flag of West Papua, ratio unknown Description The flag of West Papua consists of a red vertical band along the hoist side, with a white five-pointed star in the center. ... 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...	Malaysia (1963—) Large flag of Malaysia Image originally derived from the public domain flags of the CIA World Factbook. ... 1963 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...	Greece (1978—) Large flag of Greece Image originally derived from the public domain flags of the CIA World Factbook. ... 1978 was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1978 calendar). ...	Kingdom of Hawaii, Provisional Government of Hawaii, Republic of Hawaii (1810–1900) Download high resolution version (1920x960, 6 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Hawaii Honolulu, Hawaii Niihau Oahu Maui Kauai Hawaii (island) Hawaii County, Hawaii Honolulu County, Hawaii Kalawao County, Hawaii Kauai County, Hawaii Maui County, Hawaii Lanai Flag of Hawaii Kahoolawe Molokai Governor of Hawaii Daniel... Ka Hae Hawai‘i, or the Flag of Hawai‘i Ka Hae Hawai‘i, or the Flag of Hawaii, is the official standard symbolizing Hawaii as a kingdom, protectorate, republic, territory and state. ... Categories: Hawaii history | Stub ... United States Marines stormed ‘Iolani Palace as the Provisional Government of Hawai‘i was proclaimed across the street at Ali‘iolani Hale, the opening salvo in the establishment of the Republic of Hawai‘i. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1900 is a common year starting on Monday. ...

Flag etiquette

There are certain guidelines for the use and display of the United States flag as outlined in the United States Flag Code of the federal government. It should be stressed that these are guidelines, not laws, which lack a penalty for those who fail to comply with them. The United States Flag Code establishes rules for display and care of the American Flag. ...

It should be noted that this ettiquette is as applied within US jurisdiction. In other countries / places local ettiquette applies.

Standards of respect

• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
• The flag is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be drawn back or bunched up in any way.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, railroad train or boat.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. (Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14.)

Contrary to a commonly believed urban legend, the flag code does not state that a flag which touches the ground should be burned. Instead, the flag should be moved so it is not touching the ground. The American Legion is an organization of veterans of the United States armed forces who served in wartime. ... There are two recognized definitions of the term, Flag Day. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... Urban legends are a kind of folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. ...

The US authorities and its citizens have a respect for the national flag verging on veneration. This concept of respect for a flag is not understood by many other nationalities where the list above is seen as strange.

Displaying the flag outdoors

American flags on display outdoors at the Rockefeller Center (New York, New York).

• When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
• When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
• When flown with flags of states, communities or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor—to its own right. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
• No other flag ever should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
• When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
• The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
• Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. (By Presidential proclamation and law, the flag is displayed continuously at certain honored locations like the United States Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington and Lexington Green.)
• It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
• The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1932x2580, 1292 KB)Sculpture of Prometheus in front of the GE Building at the Rockefeller Center. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1932x2580, 1292 KB)Sculpture of Prometheus in front of the GE Building at the Rockefeller Center. ... Lower Plaza at Rockefeller Center Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings between 48th and 51st street in New York. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the United States, and is at the center of international finance, politics, communications, music, fashion, and culture. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ...

Displaying the flag indoors

• When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
• The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
• When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
• When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

Parading and saluting the flag

• When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers.
• When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
• To salute, all persons come to attention.
  • Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute.
  • Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.
  • Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem

• The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
• When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

Dorothea Lange photograph of Japanese-American students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise or oath of allegiance to the United States, and to its national flag. ...

The flag, in mourning

• To place the flag at half-staff (or half-mast, on ships), hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
• The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
• On Memorial Day, the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
• The flag is to be flown at half-staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
• The U.S. flag is otherwise flown at half-staff (or half-mast, on ships) when directed by the President of the United States or a state governor.
• When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

Relatives and others traditionally place flags near veterans headstones on Memorial Day Memorial Day is a United States public holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May. ... Seal of the President of the United States The President of the United States is the head of state of the United States. ...

Folding the flag

Folding the US Flag

Flags, when not in use, should be folded into a triangle shape. The final triangle shape result is said to invoke the image of the three-point hats popular during the American Revolutionary War. Former American territories, e.g. the Philippines, also use this method to fold their flags. Animated gif illustrating how to properly fold the U.S. flag. ... The tricorne, or tricorn, is a style of hat that was popular during the 18th century, falling out of style shortly before the French Revolution. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ... At its start, the United States was a collection of small colonies on the eastern seaboard with little international import. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 The national flag of the Philippines features an eight-rayed sun and three stars, all in gold, on a white equilateral triangle on the mast. ...

1. To properly fold the flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
2. Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.
3. Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
4. Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag.
5. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
6. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.
7. When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.

Places where the American flag is displayed continuously

According to Presidential proclamation, Congressional order, and custom, the American flag is displayed continuously at the following locations:

• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No. 2795, July 2, 1948).
• Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore, Maryland (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).
• United States Customs Service Ports of Entry that are continuously open (Presidential Proclamation No.4131, May 5, 1972).
• Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).
• Mount Slover limestone quarry, in Colton, California (Act of Congress). First raised July 4, 1917.[1]
• In addition, the American flag is presumed to be in continual display on the surface of the Earth's Moon, having been placed there by the astronauts of Apollo 11. It is assumed however that the flag was knocked down by the force of Apollo 11's return to lunar orbit.
• By order of Richard Nixon on May 5, 1972 at U.S. Customs Ports of Entry
• By custom, at the home, birthplace and grave of Francis Scott Key, all in Maryland
• By custom, at the Worcester, Massachusetts war memorial
• By custom, at the plaza in Taos, New Mexico, since 1861
• By custom, at the United States Capitol since 1918
• By custom, at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota

Fort McHenry Located in Baltimore, Maryland, Fort McHenry is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from the British navy. ... Nickname: Charm City Location in the state of Maryland Founded  -Incorporated 30 July 1729  1797 County Independent city Mayor Martin OMalley (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 349. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ... 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... March 26 is the 85th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (86th in leap years). ... 1954 - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The American flag waves over the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, located in Washington, D.C. The Marine Corps War Memorial is a military memorial statue located adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in Rosslyn, Virginia, U.S.A. The memorial is dedicated to all personnel of the U.S... (©Joe Rosenthal/Associated Press) Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima (©Joe Rosenthal/Associated Press) A photo colorized to show all six men - Ira Hayes (red), Franklin Sousley (violet), John Bradley (green), Harlon Block (Yellow), Michael Strank (brown), Rene Gagnon (teal) Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is a famous photograph... 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... June 12 is the 163rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (164th in leap years), with 202 days remaining. ... 1961 was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... British troops fire on Minutemen during The Battle of Lexington Lexington is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. ... November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 53 days remaining. ... 1965 was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... This page is about the official residence of the President of the USA. For other White Houses 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... September 4 is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years). ... 1970 was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Washington Monument The Washington Monument is a large white-colored obelisk in the center of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built as a memorial to George Washington, the first President of the United States and the leader of the revolutionary Continental Army, which won independence from the British... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... 1971 is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 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. ... Recreation of a cabin in which soldiers would have lived at Valley Forge. ... 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. ... 1975 was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Colton is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States. ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 1917 - Wikipedia /**/ @import /w/skins-1. ... For other moons in the solar system see natural satellite. ... The Apollo 11 mission was the first manned lunar landing. ... Order: 37th President Vice President: Spiro Agnew (1969–1973), Gerald R. Ford (1973–1974) Term of office: January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974 Preceded by: Lyndon B. Johnson Succeeded by: Gerald R. Ford Date of birth: January 9, 1913 Place of birth: Yorba Linda, California Date of death: April 22... May 5 is the 125th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (126th in leap years). ... 1972 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. ... Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 - January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer and amateur poet. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admission into... Nickname: The Heart of the Commonwealth, The City of Seven Hills Location in the state of Massachusetts Founded 1673 Charter {{{Charter}}} Incorparated {{{Incorparated}}} County Worcester County Mayor Timothy P. Murray (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 99. ... Taos is a city located in Taos County, New Mexico. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... United States Capitol The Capitol when first occupied by Congress, 1800. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Deadwood is a city located in Lawrence County, South Dakota. ...

History

Washington ensign: Washington's personal colors and present flag of the District of Columbia

The flag has gone through 26 changes since the new union of 13 states first adopted it. The 48-star version holds the record, 47 years, for the longest time the flag has gone unchanged. The current 50-star version will tie the record if it is still in use on July 4, 2007. Flag of the District of Columbia Ratio 10:19 490 × 260 pixels 1378 bytes File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Flag of the District of Columbia Ratio 10:19 490 × 260 pixels 1378 bytes File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 2007 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776, the most commonly flown flag was the Grand Union Flag. This flag was initially flown by George Washington and is recorded as being first raised by Washington's troops at Prospect Hill on New Year's Day in 1776. This flag formed the basis of the Stars and Stripes, consisting of 13 red and white stripes with the British Union Jack in the canton. The Grand Union Flag (also known as the Congress flag, The First Navy Ensign and The Cambridge Flag) is the first true Flag of the United States. ...

Grand Union flag. The first official flag of the United States

The red-and-white stripe (and later, stars-and-stripes) motif of the flag may have been based 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). Since 1937, this design has been used as the flag of the District of Columbia. Image File history File links The Grand Union flag (Continental Colors). ... Image File history File links The Grand Union flag (Continental Colors). ... 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. ... 1937 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... ...

Bennington flag. This flag was most likely used at the Battle of Bennington

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of 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. The Bennington flag. ... The Bennington flag. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Continental Congress was the federal legislature of the Thirteen Colonies and later of the United States from 1774 to 1789, a period that included the American Revolutionary War and the Articles of Confederation. ... There are two recognized definitions of the term, Flag Day. ...

The Flag Resolution did not specify any particular arrangement for the stars. Initially, a variety of designs were used, including a circular arrangement (above left), but gradually a design featuring horizontal rows of stars emerged as the standard.

13-star "Betsy Ross" flag

As further states entered the union, extra stars and stripes were added until this proved to cause too much clutter. It was ultimately decided that there would be a star for each state, but the number of stripes would remain at thirteen to honor the original colonies. It was the 15-star, 15-stripe flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner", now the national anthem. Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)The Betsy Ross 13-star United States flag (1776) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Thirteen Colonies User:Jacobolus Categories: Historical flag images ... Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)The Betsy Ross 13-star United States flag (1776) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Thirteen Colonies User:Jacobolus Categories: Historical flag images ... Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 - January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer and amateur poet. ... Nicholson took the copy Key gave him to a printer, where it was published as a broadside on September 17 under the title The Defence of Fort McHenry, with an explanatory note explaining the circumstances of its writing. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is formally recognized by a countrys government as their states official national song. ...

15-star, 15-stripe "Star-Spangled Banner" flag

When the flag design changes, the change always takes place on July 4 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a consequence of the Flag Act of April 4, 1818. July 4, Independence Day in the United States, commemorates the founding of the nation. The most recent change, from forty-nine stars to fifty, occurred in 1960, after Hawaii gained statehood in August 1959. Before that, the admission of Alaska in January 1959 prompted the debut of a short-lived 49-star flag. Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)15-star, 15-stripe Flag of the United States (1795-1818) The Star-Spangled Banner flag of Francis Scott Keys song, later the US National Anthem File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States User:Jacobolus... Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)15-star, 15-stripe Flag of the United States (1795-1818) The Star-Spangled Banner flag of Francis Scott Keys song, later the US National Anthem File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States User:Jacobolus... July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... Independence Hall Philadelphia (sometimes referred to as Philly or the City of Brotherly Love) is the fifth most populous city in the United States and the most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania, occupying all of Philadelphia County. ... The Flag Acts are the three laws which define the design of the Flag of the United States. ... April 4 is the 94th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (95th in leap years). ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 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. ... For publications of this name, see also Nation (disambiguation) The most popular modern ethical and philosophical doctrines state that all humans are divided into groups called nations. ... 1960 was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... State nickname: The Aloha State Other U.S. States Capital Honolulu Largest city Honolulu Governor Linda Lingle Official languages Hawaiian and English Area 28,337 km² (43rd)  - Land 16,649 km²  - Water 11,672 km² (41. ... State nickname: The Last Frontier, The Land of the Midnight Sun Other U.S. States Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Governor Frank Murkowski Official languages English Area 1,717,854 km² (1st)  - Land 1,481,347 km²  - Water 236,507 km² (13. ...

48-star classic "Old Glory" flag, used 1912-1959

The flag flew in battle for the first time at Cooch's Bridge in Maryland on September 3, 1777 during the American Revolutionary War. Download high resolution version (1520x800, 15 KB)48-star Old Glory flag of the United States (1912 _ 1959) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States 1936 Summer Olympics 1948 Winter Olympics 1948 Summer Olympics Iona Nikitchenko 1928 Winter Olympics 1924 Winter Olympics... Download high resolution version (1520x800, 15 KB)48-star Old Glory flag of the United States (1912 _ 1959) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States 1936 Summer Olympics 1948 Winter Olympics 1948 Summer Olympics Iona Nikitchenko 1928 Winter Olympics 1924 Winter Olympics... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5,296,486 (19th)  - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admission into... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen North American colonies. ...

The origin of the U.S. flag 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's own records. The British historian Sir Charles Fawcett has suggested that the design of the flag may have been derived from the flag and jack of the British East India Company. Comparisons between the 2 flags support Fawcett's suggestion. Another popular theory is that the flag was designed by Francis Hopkinson. He reportedly originally wanted the stars arranged in four bands, one vertical, one horizontal, and two diagonal. By the same reports, this arrangement was rejected due to similarity to the British flag. Sewing the first US flag Betsy Ross (January 1, 1752 - January 30, 1836) is reputed to have sewed the first American flag. ... ... Charles Fawcett was a British historian. ... A flag is a piece of cloth flown from a pole or mast, usually intended for signaling or identification. ... Flags are particularly important at sea, where they can mean the difference between life and death, and consequently where the rules and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly enforced. ... The British East India Company, sometimes referred to as John Company, was a joint-stock company of investors, which was granted a Royal Charter by Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, with the intent to favour trade privileges in India. ... Francis Hopkinson (2 October 1737–May 9, 1791), an American author, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born at Philadelphia in 1737. ...

Historical star patterns

On the current 50-star flag, the width (fly) of the blue rectangle is 76% of the height (hoist) of the whole flag, and its height is 7 of the 13 stripes.

Note that the following star patterns are merely the usual patterns, with the exception of the 48-, 49-, and 50-star flags, as there was no official arrangement of the stars until the proclamation of the 48-star flag by President William Howard Taft in 1912. (For alternate versions, see this page at Flags of the World.) Order: 27th President Vice President: James S. Sherman Term of office: March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913 Preceded by: Theodore Roosevelt Succeeded by: Woodrow Wilson Date of birth: September 15, 1857 Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio Date of death: March 8, 1930 Place of death: Washington D.C. First Lady... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ... Flags of the World (or FOTW) is the Internets largest website devoted to vexillology, containing comprehensive information about all kinds of flags. ...

Grand Union flag Image File history File links The Grand Union flag (Continental Colors). ...	13 (1776) Betsy Ross flag Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)The Betsy Ross 13-star United States flag (1776) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Thirteen Colonies User:Jacobolus Categories: Historical flag images ... This article is about the year 1776. ...	13 (1777–1795) First official flag Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)With 13-stars and 13-stripes, this flag was the first official Flag of the United States (1777 - 1795) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...	15 (1795–1818) 15-stripe flag Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)15-star, 15-stripe Flag of the United States (1795-1818) The Star-Spangled Banner flag of Francis Scott Keys song, later the US National Anthem File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States User:Jacobolus... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...
20 (1818–1819) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)20-star Flag of the United States (1818 - 1819) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1818 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1819 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...	21 (1819–1820) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)21-star Flag of the United States (1819 - 1820) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1819 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...	23 (1820–1822) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)23-star Flag of the United States (1820 - 1822) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1820 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1822 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...	24 (1822–1836) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)24-star US flag (1822-1836) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1822 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
25 (1836–1837) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)25-star US flag (1836-1837) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Six flags over Texas Categories: Flag images ... 1836 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...	26 (1837–1845) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 16 KB)26-star US flag (1837-1845) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1837 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...	27 (1845–1846) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 17 KB)27-star US flag (1845-1846) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...	28 (1846–1847) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 17 KB)28-star US flag (1846-1847) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...
29 (1847–1848) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 13 KB)29-star US flag (1847-1848) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ...	30 (1848–1851) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 17 KB)30-star US flag (1848-1851) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1848 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Events January 23 - The flip of a coin determines whether a new city in Oregon is named after Boston, Massachusetts, or Portland, Maine, with Portland winning. ...	31 (1851–1858) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 17 KB)31-star US flag (1851-1858) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... Events January 23 - The flip of a coin determines whether a new city in Oregon is named after Boston, Massachusetts, or Portland, Maine, with Portland winning. ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ...	32 (1858–1859) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB)32-star US flag (1858-1859) File links There are no pages that link to this file. ... 1858 is a common year starting on Friday. ... 1859 is a common year starting on Saturday. ...
33 (1859–1861) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB)33-star US flag (1859-1861) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1859 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ...	34 (1861–1863) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB)34-star US flag (1861-1863) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1861 is a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...	35 (1863–1865) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 18 KB)35-star US flag (1863-1865) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1863 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ...	36 (1865–1867) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)36-star US flag (1865-1867) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1865 is a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...
37 (1867–1877) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)37-star US flag (1867-1877) File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States Categories: Flag images ... 1867 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...	38 (1877–1890) Download high resolution version (1520x800, 14 KB)38-star US Flag (1877-1890) {PD-flag} File links The following pages link to this file: Flag of the United States ... 1877 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1890 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calen