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That flag came about on June 14, 1777 when congress passed the first of three major flag acts . The first act stated that “the flag of the US shall consist of 13 alternating stripes of red on white with 13 white stars on a blue field forming a new constellation.
Who made first American flag?
On May 29, 1777, Betsy Ross was paid a large sum of money from the Pennsylvania State Navy Board for making flags, and on June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as our official national flag. Betsy would continue to make flags for over 50 years, many of which were through government contracts.
What was the American flag before 1776?
Grand Union The first (unofficial) national flag of the United States. It was raised in 1776 to celebrate the official status of the newly formed Continental Army by General George Washington, whose camp was then in Cambridge. Also known as the Cambridge Flag or Continental Colors.
Why was the American flag made?
The American flag was designed to represent the new union of the thirteen original states: it would have thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, and thirteen stars, white on a blue field. Since then, Americans have fought for and died to preserve the ideals of democracy represented by the flag.
When did the flag get 50 stars?
NUMBER OF STARS IN THE U.S. FLAG, AND ADDITIONAL STATES REPRESENTED 1777 TO PRESENT Date of Flag Additional states with date of entry into Union 49 stars – July 4, 1959 to July 3, 1960 Alaska (January 3, 1959) 50 stars – July 4, 1960 to present Hawaii (August 21, 1959).
Where is the original American flag?
The original Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become our national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Who made the American flag we use today?
Designed By Robert Heft The current American flag was designed by a 17-year-old high school student in 1958.
What did the American flag look like in 1860?
The flag was made of cotton and linen with the stars sewn on the blue field. The stars were arranged in a somewhat unusual fashion, with two rows of 7, two rows of 6, and two rows of 5, leaving an empty semi-circle on the outer edge of the blue field.
What did the American flag look like in 1775?
The flag, originally designed in 1775, features the British Union Jack in the upper left corner surrounded by thirteen white and red stripes, symbolizing the thirteen colonies. The last of the thirteen colonies to officially join The United States was Rhode Island in 1790.
What was the first flag in history?
The country with the oldest flag in the world is that of Denmark. The Danish flag, called the Danneborg, dates back to 13th century A.D. It is believed to have been in existence since June 15, 1219 though it was officially recognised as the national flag in 1625. Flags, themselves, date further back.
How many versions of the American flag are there?
Since the founding of the United States in 1776, there have been 27 different versions of the flag featuring the stars and stripes.
What was the first American flag made out of?
“Early American flags were made from wool, cotton, linen or silk, depending on the availability of materials and the intended use,” Gatewood said. A combination of these materials also was used sometimes.
Why are there 13 stripes on the flag?
There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies.
Why are there 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes on the flag?
What about the stars and stripes? The 50 white stars (50 since July 4, 1960) stand for the 50 states of the union. And the seven red and six white horizontal stripes, or pales, represent the original 13 states, or British colonies.
What year were there only 48 states?
To mark the additions of New Mexico and Arizona as states, the American flag grew to 48 stars on July 4, 1912. The design, which includes six horizontal rows of eight stars, was replaced on July 4, 1959, with the addition of Alaska’s star, and it is the second-longest used version of the flag in the nation’s history.
Are there 52 states?
USA has had 50 states since 1959. The District of Columbia is a federal district, not a state. Many lists include DC and Puerto Rico, which makes for 52 “states and other jurisdictions”.
What was happening in 1776 in the US?
By issuing the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the 13 American colonies severed their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists’ motivations for seeking independence.
What is the history of the US flag?
On June 14, 1777, to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “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.”.
Who wrote the national anthem?
This 15-star flag, the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key’s poem, has been carefully preserved. Today it hangs in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Francis Scott Key penned four verses to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Only the first verse is sung at most occasions.
How old was the US flag designed?
In 1958, 17-year-old Robert G. Heft was assigned an American history project while attending Lancaster High School in Ohio.
When did the US flag have 15 stripes?
The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding 2 stripes and 2 Stars. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, Sept 13, 1814.
