Thursday, June 14, 2012

You're a Grand Ol' Flag!

HAPPY FLAG DAY!

Today isn't just a day that many American's fly the American Flag on our porch posts, but as the name implies, the date celebrates the date that our flag came to be.

On January 1, 1776, George Washington laid siege in Boston upon the British army, as a show of independence he had hoisted a flag with 13 alternating red & white stripes with the Union Jack (British flag) in the upper-left corner.

Our founders knew that all ties with the British government had to end . . . we needed a new flag.

In May of 1776, Betsy Ross was commissioned to sew the 1st American flag. She was a well-known seamstress who was known not only for her talent, but for her good taste.


On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the 1st Flag Act ~ "Resolved, That 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." 

The American Flag Act has been up-dated with each state added ~ as each star represents a state. The last of which of was by President Eisenhower on August 21st, 1959 after Alaska & Hawaii were welcomed as our 49th & 50th states.

Today's flag shows 13 stripes, 7 red & 6 white, representing the original 13 Colonies; with 50 white stars on a blue union, representing our 50 states. 

The colors of our flag where chosen with great care ~ red symbolizes hardiness & valor, white symbolizes purity & innocence, & blue represents vigilance, perseverance & justice for all.

Since it's creation, our flag has represented FREEDOM to the world. People STILL DIE to get here. When immigrants were coming to America to begin a new life, the 1st things they wanted to see were the American flag & the Statue of Liberty. Not only has our flag led our precious warriors into battle ~ for our freedom & that of others ~ but it has even been on the moon. No other country can say that

With all we are going through as a country, these are good things to know, to share & to be proud of.   We are truly blessed to be Americans.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You're a Grand Ol' Flag
You're a high flyin' flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of 
The land I love
The home of the free & the brave.
Ev'ry heart beats true
'Neath the Red, White & Blue
Where there's never a boast or brag;
Should old acquaintance be forgot?
Keep your eye on the Grand Ol' Flag!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

1 comment:

  1. I had just said on my facebook status that I hadn't heard much said about it being Flag Day, and here you are!!! Good for you...and thank you for the wonderful history of our Grand Old Flag!! God bless America!!! Amen!!

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