The History of the American Flag

Contents 1. From the history… 2. Design and colors 3. The use of the American Flag 4. Similar flags 5. Conclusion

From the history At the time of the Revolution, America needed it`s own flag to lead the soldiers into battle. Historians say that there are no facts to prove it, but people still believe it. According to a popular story, the first American flag was made by Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Philadelphia. She did some sewing for George Washington, who at the time was the leader of the Continental Army. They decided to have thirteen stars and thirteen stripes on the flag to symbolize the thirteen States of America. It was approved by the Continental Congress o9n June 14, 1777, and now on this day every year Americans celebrate Flag Day.

After the first thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence and formed the Union, more colonies joined. In 1791 and 1792 Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union, so two more stars and two more stripes were added to the flag. As the Union grew, however, it became clear that the flag was becoming too big. In the end, it was decided to add a star for every new state, but to keep the number of stripes unchanged. So there will always be thirteen stripes on the American flag to commemorate the original thirteen colonies that started the Union. The last new star, bringing the total to 50, was added in 1960 after Hawaii became a state.

Design and colors The specification gives following values: Width of a flag: A = 1.0 Length of a flag: B = 1.9 Width of area of stars: C = 0.5385 (A x 7/13, occupies seven strips) Length of area of stars: D = 0.76 (B × 2/5, two fifth lengths of a flag) E = F = 0.0538 (C/10, the one tenth width of area of stars) G = H = 0.0633 (D/12, the one twelfth lengths of area of stars) Diameter of a star: K = 0.0616 Width of a strip: L = 0.0769 (A/13, the one thirteenth width of a flag)

Colors The flag of the USA is remarkable that dark blue color in it is much more dark than dark blue, other states used in flags. Officially the given shade dark blue is called Navy Blue (Naval Dark blue). It is explainable from the practical point of view: “In XVIII century yet there were no proof dyes, and "normal" dark blue quickly would fade to pale blue; the flag of dense, dark blue color long kept the properties”. For the same reason red on the American flag also is more dark red on flags of other countries.

The Use of the American flag The flag is usually lifted all year long on the majority of public buildings. Some private use is all-the-year-round, but it becomes widespread on civil holidays, such as Day of memory, Presidential day, Flag Day in the United States and Independence Day.

It is forbidden: To lower a little as a sign of respect for the person or a subject even if flags of states, military banners and other flags are lowered a little in their honor; To expose its canton downwards, except for the giving distress signal; To expose a flag so that it touched something located under it: the earth, a floor, water, other subjects; To bear a flag staff horizontally (the flag always should rush under a corner); To fix and expose a flag so that it could be damaged or soiled; To write and draw something on a flag; To turn something in a flag; To use it as clothes, bed-clothes and draperies, to use in a suit or on the sports form (at the same time the flag image can be sewn to the form of members of the patriotic organizations, military, police and fire); To use a flag for advertising and advancement of the goods; To print its image on the napkins, boxes and other subjects of disposable use.

Similar flags Флаг Аджарии Флаг Республики Абхазия Флаг Греции Флаг Либерии Флаг Гавайев Флаг Кубы Флаг Малайзии

Флаг Техаса Флаг Пуэрто-Рико Флаг Того Флаг Чили Флаг Уругвая

Conclusion To my mind it is very interesting to research this theme. The history of the American flag was long and saturated with different events. While reading this topic I have learned a lot about historical circumstances. That`s why in order to check the knowledge we can pass the test.

Test yourself 1. Who was the first designer of the American flag? a) G. Washington b) Betsy Ross c) John P. Jones 2. How many stripes and stars were on the original US flag? a) 13 stripes and 13 stars b) 15 stripes and 13 stars c) 13 stripes and 50 stars 3. What do the stars symbolize? a) a lot of famous people b) the states of America c) Washington's favourite number The keys…

The keys 1. – b 2. – a 3. – b