Today is Flag Day — June 14. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, stating “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.”
Then, more than 130 years later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916 as Flag Day. President Calvin Coolidge did the same in 1927. It was declared a national holiday in 1949 when it was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Truman. It is not a federal holiday, but it is celebrated across the country.
The flag has changed over the years with more stars being added as new states joined the union, but it should be just as sacred and important to American today as it was in 1777…..
Although Betsy Ross is often credited with creating the first American flag (in 1776,) there is no real proof to confirm that fact. Here’s how that story became popular — almost a century later, in 1870, Ross’s grandson, William Canby stated his grandmother was approached by three men, General George Washington, her relative Colonel George Ross and Revolutionary War financier Robert Morris, and was asked to design the flag. Betsy Ross’ daughter, niece and granddaughter submitted affidavits to back up Canby’s story. Taking into account her sewing skills and her relation to Colonel George Ross, who signed the Declaration of Independence, it’s possible that Betsy Ross was given that awesome responsibility.
Another school of thought says that New Jersey delegate and signatory of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson designed the original flag. He had experience creating seals for the U.S, government and petitioned for his payment from producing the “flag of the United States of America.” His request was rejected because “he was not the only one consulted.”
So the designer of the original flag is questioned, but we know exactly who designed the present-day flag. In 1958, Alaska and Hawaii were both likely to become the 49th and 50th states. Bob Heft, a 17-year old Ohio high school student decided to design a 50-star flag for a history project during his junior year. He cut up his parents’ 48-star flag and used his mother’s sewing machine to create his design. He only receive a B- for his project, but he sent his flag to his congressman, Walter Moeller. When both Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union in 1959, Moeller proposed Heft’s flag to President Eisenhower. Ike chose Heft’s design and invited him to Washington, D.C. for its first display on July 4, 1960.
Bob Heft’s teacher changed his grade to an A.
The colors of our flag have important meanings: red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
So today, on Flag Day, let’s remember the importance of our flag, and remember to always give it the respect it deserves.
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