~~~~~~RED, WHITE, AND BLUE~~~~~~~

[Guest Guest]

'OLD GLORY~ Long may she wave.....

A few facts about our flag, the symbol of freedom thruout

the world. There were several flags before we ended up with the one we have now.

 

The very first flag of the United States was not red, white, and blue. It was a pine tree on a white ground, with the words, "AN APPEAL TO HEAVEN', written above the tree in

black letters. That was in the year 1775.

 

The second flag had seven red stripes, and six white stripes as the background, with a slithering snake on it. The words,

'DON'T TREAD ON ME' were written on the last white stripe,

in black letters. That was also in 1775.

 

The third flag was the 'GRAND UNION FLAG'. It had the thirteen stripes of red and white, and the blue in the upper

left corner. On the blue, was a red cross, on top of a white

'X'. It was similar to the British flag but it didn't have the shadow stripes. No words were written on this one. Again, this was in 1775.

 

The flag that we have come to think of as our 'first', was called the 'NATIONAL ENSIGN'. It had the thirteen red and white stripes, the blue in the upper left corner, and thirteen white stars in a circle. This was created in 1777.

 

Although it was a really sweet story, Betsy Ross did not, in

fact, make the first American flag. The details of the flag were voted on by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

(Which, by the way, is the origin of 'Flag Day') It was agreed that the flag should have thirteen alternating red and white stripes, one for each state, and thirteen white stars- again, one for each state- on a blue background. A new stripe and star were then added for each new state, until they realized that it could eventually make the flag much too big. In 1818, the number of stripes was reduced to thirteen, and only a star was added for each new state.

 

Betsy Ross was a Philadelphia seamstress and upholsterer. Although she didn't make the first flag at the request of George Washington, as legend has it, records show that she did supply flags to the Pennsylvania navy, in 1777.

 

The Star Spangled Banner, our national anthem, was inspired by our national flag, but not until the year 1814. It was during our second battle with the British. Here is how it happened;

 

In September of 1814, Francis Scott Key, a young American lawyer, boarded a British ship to ask for the release of a friend, who was being held prisoner. The British fleet, on the Chesapeake River, was trying to capture the city of Baltimore, Maryland, which was being guarded by Fort McHenry. Key was able to obtain a release for his friend, but since the British planned to bombard Ft. McHenry, Key and his friend were forced to remain aboard.

 

As Key watched the shelling he saw the flag, 'at the twilight's last gleaming.' It survived the 'perilous night', and 'was still there', in the 'dawn's early light'. The British were unable to take Ft. McHenry. Key wrote the first verse while still on board the ship, and the remainder of the song after he was released and went home. The words were set to music, and the song gained instant popularity. Still, it wasn't until March 3, 1931, that Congress made it our national anthem.

 

~~~~~~~~~~Flag Etiquette~~~~~~~~~~

On American soil, NO flag should ever fly higher than 'Old Glory'.

 

Flags should not be left out in inclement weather, unless they are all-weather flags.

 

The flag should be lowered, folded and put away, at dusk every night, unless it's an all-weather flag, and it is fully illuminated during the night.

 

Never let a flag touch the ground. It is total disrespect. If a flag gets dragged and dirty, or is worn, torn, or faded out, it should be burned in a ceremony, never thrown away.

 

Never drape a flag on the side of a building or other structure. It should always have the freedom to blow in the wind, or lie furled when it's calm. These are the symbols and ideals on which our country is built.

 

Never wear the American flag as clothing. It should never be

cut. A patch of the flag on a uniform is a different matter.

 

Never hang anything on your flag, or attach anything to it.

 

The American flag is the universally recognized symbol of

Freedom. Treat it with the respect it deserves....

 

Have a glorious and wonderful Fourth of July, everyone. Let's all celebrate our Independence and freedom with as

much joy and pride as possible. Hug a serviceman, or woman, if you can, and say thanks...

 

Nana

 

*Some information taken from Lexicon Encyclopedia-1988

edition, and 'This is America's Story- Wilder, Ludlum,

Brown.- publishers-Houghton, Mifflin Co. 1950.*

 

[gardnmom]

Thank you, Nana. Great to see you here....

I've missed you.

[Guest Guest]

((((((((((((nana)))))))))))))))

[mrszouave]

It's GREAT to see ya Nan!!

How's AK and LP and the little-ist grandgirlbaby??

How's your arm?

xoox

deb

[Guest Guest]

Thanks, Nana...it's good to see you!

[Dee]

What a wonderful history of the Flag you posted! Thanks for posting it.