HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG

Beth JoynerEducation 357

09-22-2009

Questions

What does the American flag stand for?

Who made the first American flag?

Why is it red, white, and blue?

What do the stars and stripes represent?

Why are there 50 stars and 13 stripes on the flag?

Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag?

Connection with Standards

History 1.1.3 – Identify American songs and symbols and

discuss their origins.

Civics and Government 1.2.6 – Know the Pledge of Allegiance and

understand that it is a promise to be loyal to the United States.

What does the American Flag Symbolize?

The American flag symbolizes national independence and popular sovereignty.

It is not the flag of a reigning family or royal house, but of 205 million free people welded into a Nation, one and inseparable, united not only by community of interest, but by vital unity of sentiment and purpose; a Nation distinguished for the clear individual conception of its citizens alike of their duties and their privileges, their obligations and their rights.

Taken from: http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/?file=/citylink/usa/history.html http://www.speedysigns.com/images/decals/140c/Patriotic/Patriotic/USA232.gif

The Betsy Ross Flag Although there is some

controversy, most people believe that Betsy Ross is the sewer of the very first American flag, with the 13 white stars arranged in a circle on a blue background.

On June 14, 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as our official national flag.

Taken from: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagtale.html

The Colors of the American Flag

The only specific reference to the three colors comes from a report by the Secretary of the Continental Congress, Charles Thomson. Mr. Thomson said: "White signifies purity and innocence; Red, hardiness and valour; and Blue, vigilance, perseverance and justice."

Other American writers have suggested that red stands for blood shed fighting for our country, white symbolizes loyalty, and blue, the unity of our citizens bound together as one nation.

The colors also echo the colors of the British flag, and the original drafts of the flag included the Union Jack in place of the section now containing the stars.

Taken from: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=338 http://www.speedysigns.com/images/decals/140c/Patriotic/Patriotic/USA232.gif

The Stars on the American Flag

The number of stars on the flag has always represented the number of states in the Union.

The original flag had 13 stars—one for each of the 13 original colonies (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island).

It then rose to 15 when Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792) were added; 20 with the admission of Tennessee (1796), Ohio (1803), Louisiana (1812), Indiana (1816) and Mississippi (1817); and 21 with Illinois (1818).

In 1818, Congress passed The Flag Act, which requires that the flag will always have 13 stripes, and that stars will be added for new states each July 4 only.

Today the flag has 50 stars on it; one for each of the 50 states.

Taken from: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=338

The Stripes on the American Flag

The red and white stripes represent each of the original 13 colonies.

The first "Stars and Stripes" had 13 stars and 13 stripes.

The U.S. Congress declared on June 14, 1777: "The flag of the United States will be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white [and] . . . the union [canton] be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.“

Taken from: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=338 http://faculty.kutztown.edu/friehauf/american_flag.jpg

American Flag Timeline 1776 – The Grand Union flag is displayed on Prospect Hill. It has 13 alternate red and

white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).

1777 – Continental Congress adopts the following: Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.

Taken from: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html

American Flag Timeline

The current American Flag.

Proposed flag with 51 stars, to be used if a 51st state is added.

Taken from: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html

The Pledge of Allegiance

Whenever we say the Pledge of Allegiance we are promising to be loyal to our country and government.

Students may understand it better if you put it in the following words: I promise to honor the flag of the United States of America, and the country the flag stands for, it is one nation, not to be divided, with fair treatment for all.

Taken from: http://www.indianastandards.org/files/soc/ss_3_2_6.pdf

American Flag Nicknames

Star Spangled Banner

Old Glory

The Stars and Stripes

The Red, White, and Blue

Taken from: http://www.salsanewyork.com/guide/GuideImages/American-Flag-Wall-Art.jpg http://www.universitylanguage.com/blog/01/history-american-flag/

Children’s Literature

Red, White, and Blue: The Story of the American Flag by John Herman

Betsy Ross by Alexandra Wallner

The Flag We Love by Munoz Ryan

Taken from: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/flag-day/kids-books/

References

Information and Pictures http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=338 http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4692607/DisplayAme

ricanFlag1-main_Full.jpg http://www.salsanewyork.com/guide/GuideImages/American-Flag-W

all-Art.jpg http: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/flag-day/kids-book

s/ //www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/flag-day/kids-books/ http://www.universitylanguage.com/blog/01/history-american-flag/ http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/?file=/citylink/usa/history.html http://www.speedysigns.com/images/decals/140c/Patriotic/Patriotic/

USA232.gif http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfc_pled

ge_print.html http://www.indianastandards.org/files/soc/ss_3_2_6.pdf

Standards http://dc.doe.in.gov/Standards/AcademicStandards/StandardSearch.

aspx