On June 14, 1777 (now Flag Day), the Continental Congress, adopted the national flag through the following resolution: “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.” Lore has it that the Betsy Ross Flag was the first official version of the flag.
Legend – in hot dispute – holds that In May of 1776, on behalf of the Continental Congress, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross met secretly with Betsy Ross and asked her to sew the first official flag of America. George Ross was the uncle of Betsy’s late husband; and according to lore Betsy also attended the same church as Washington.
There is no doubt, however, that on June 14, 1777 (now Flag Day), the Continental Congress, adopted the national flag through the following resolution: “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.”
The origin of the design and the reasons for the colors remain in hot dispute. However, Secretary of the Congress Charles Thompson wrote in connection with the Seal of our Nation that “The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes on the shield of the eagle) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; WHITE signifies purity and innocence, RED, hardiness & valour, and BLUE, the color of the Chief (the blue band at the top of the shield) signifies vigilance, perseverance & Justice.”
On the other hand, George Washington is reported to have said that “We take the stars from Heaven, the red from out mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.” He also said, “Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens.”
Regardless of its origins, the Betsy Ross flags has been – and remains – a vibrant and most beloved symbol of America.
Since 1776, the official flag of the United States has been altered – mostly due to the increasing number of states. With the addition of each state, the flag has been modified, until its current composition including 50 stars (one for each state) in the field of blue, and with 13 stripes representing the original 13 states.
This flag is a reflects a deep commitment to the Social Compact.
Along with the First Principles, Founding Fathers, Patriots, Vital Documents and Speeches, each day of Patriot Week celebrates and honors Flags from America’s past and today that are emblematic of our First Principles:
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The Patriot Week Foundation achieved its 501(c)(3) status in December 2012 and has moved forward by building a sustainable, nonpartisan organization. Currently staffed with an Operations Manager and Education Consultant, the Patriot Week Foundation will be adding to its complement of talent shortly.
This unique, historically grounded, non-partisan approach is desperately needed in our toxic political environment. In no small measure, the fate of the nation depends on it.
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