Flag Day! 

Representing a New Constellation—Happy Flag Day!

 

My favorite scene from one of the best movies Hollywood has come up with regarding the American Revolution. The Patriot – No Retreat (h/t MOVIECLIPS.com).

 

Symbols are meaningful, but more importantly, inspirational! Just note the looks on the faces of the young men in full retreat as their leader grabs the flag from a retreating soldier and runs toward the sound of the guns! They turn around, follow him, and by sheer determination win the day!

 

In June 1775, our colonist patriots were fighting under a variety of flags (or colors) developed by their militias, townships, or benefactors. The Second Continental Congress met with the determination to create the Continental Army with colors that would unify them on the battlefield—the Continental Colors.

 

There was just one problem—the initial design had a field in the corner that closely resembled the British Union Jack. General Washington quickly discovered the value of symbolism. The British Union Jack was not inspiring, nor did it boost confidence for his young troops.

 

So, in June 1777, he went back to the Second Continental Congress where on June 14, they resolved “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation”1  

 

Our American flag was born. However, there is still the question about our beloved Betsy Ross! Did she sew the first flag into existence for the Continental Army? Her grandson, William Canby, held a press conference in 1870 asserting that she did.2 I like to think of our girl Betsy as a key player. We do know that Francis Hopkinson, a delegate from New Jersey and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was the designer.3


On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson, marked the anniversary of the birth of our flag with the decree officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day!

 

Important Flag Facts4

 

What do the colors represent?


If you have a flag on your home or property, the American Flag page on USA.gov has everything you need to know!

 

Enjoy Flag Day and remember what it took for our first American patriots to win us our freedoms—no retreat!

 

 References

1 What Is Flag Day?; Jennie Cohen, https://www.history.com/news/what-is-flag-day ; June 12, 2023

2 What Is Flag Day?; Jennie Cohen, https://www.history.com/news/what-is-flag-day ; June 12, 2023

3 What Is Flag Day?; Jennie Cohen, https://www.history.com/news/what-is-flag-day ; June 12, 2023

4The American Flag, https://www.usa.gov/flag