IndexThe history of the American flagFlag rulesFlag etiquetteThe history of the American flagThe flag of the United States represents many things that current citizens may never be aware of in their lifetime. The history of our flag is as notable as that of the American Republic. The origin of the flag to this day has gone through many battles, changes and has survived even some of our most devastating moments and still stands as a symbol of sacrifice in service, loss and determination after the world trade towers of 9/11 2001. , as well as all previous victories and defeats. For nearly 200 years, the American flag has been a symbol of our nation's unity. The flag is a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. Our American flag has been a prominent icon in our national history that inspired the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Star Spangled Banner. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The origin of the first American flag is believed to be unknown to some, but it is said to have been the first American Stars and Stripes flag to be sewn by Betsy Ross in Philadelphia, New Jersey in 1776. There are even historians who reject any substantiating evidence for this claim and believe that the designer and maker of the first American flag is unknown. Otherwise, “on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation.” The resolution stated: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternating red and white; that the union is made up of thirteen stars, white on a blue field, which represent a new constellation. ("Flag Timeline" 1999-2018) Francis Hopkins, naval flag designer, received credit in 1977 for being the designer, was chairman of the Intermediate Department of the Continental Navy Board, who was also one of the selectmen who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1977 when the flag was established. The American flag was originally designed with 13 stars in a circle with 13 stripes; 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes alternating. The stars originally represented colonies. The stars similar to other flags were designed to separate the American flag from the European flag with multi-pointed stars and the Confederate flag with 6-pointed stars. The original stars on the 1977 flag were designed with 5 white points on a blue field. Blue is currently referred to as the Union. The 13 original origins in a circle represented "The Thirteen Colonies which were a group of British colonies on the east coast of North America founded in the 17th and 18th centuries which declared independence in 1776 and formed the United States of America." (“The History of the American Flag”2005-2018) In 1795 other colonies (Vermont and Kentucky) joined the union; the flag was redesigned to 13 stars and 15 stripes from 1795 to 1818. In 1818, the flag reverted to 13 stripes and added 5 more colonies represented by the stars. The American flag has changed 27 times from its original design, now including 50 stars and 13 stripes. Each color of the flag also represents a meaning written in the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives. The colors of the blades (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, red stands for strength and valor and blue, the color of the head (the wide band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. The star is a symbol of the sky andof the divine goal to which man has aspired since time immemorial; the stripe symbolizes the rays of light emanating from the sun. (“What do the colors of the flag mean?” 2005) Rules of the Flag Over the years of my career I have learned many rules in caring for, in flying, in representing the American flag. I wish it were something more taught to our young people. We all seem to bleed the red, white and blue that represent independence and losses and the great things we have in America, then we feel this deep sense of loyalty when we hear the Star Spangled Banner singing across the stadium. But do all hearts know the interesting story of the Stars and Stripes? Would they know the rules of their own American flag and the things it represents? The first thing to know is the flag code in the United States Code, Chapter 1, Title 4. Secondly, being proud of our flag represents all the people who have lost their lives the last 200 years represents the 50 stars/states of the union we live in. The rules of the flag are as follows: The flag must never be flown with the Union lowered unless someone signals grave danger. The flag will fly with 13 red and white stripes alternating with 50 white stripes on a blue field. Upon admission of any new union; one star will be added to the 50 existing stars. While performing the pledge: “The mode of delivery should be made by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand on the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious head covering with the right hand and keep it on the left shoulder, with the hand over the heart. People in uniform should remain silent, look towards the flag and salute." The flag must be hoisted from dawn to dusk on fixed flagpoles outdoors. However, for a patriotic event, the flag may be flown 24 hours a day with one light on. The flag must be raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. The flag must be displayed every day, especially: New Year's Day, Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Easter Sunday, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, memory, flag day, father's day. Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Navy Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day. The flag should be displayed on or near the administration of any public building. The flag should be displayed on or near every polling station during elections. The flag shall be displayed on or near each school day on or near each school. Whenever the flag is flown with another flag; the American flag will be flown from the highest point if on the same halyard. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal to, upon, or in a position of greater prominence or honor than or in lieu of the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any territory or possession of the same. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and highest point of the group when a number of state or locality flags or company pennants are grouped and displayed from the staffs. The flag, when flying at half-mast, should first be hoisted aloft for an instant and then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag should be raised high again before,.