The American flag has been an important icon of America's national history for over 200 years. It is an inspiration for citizens and a symbol of the nation's pride, unity and strength. The colors of the American flag are also symbolic. White symbolizes innocence and purity, red symbolizes valor and hardiness and blue represents justice, perseverance and vigilance. Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts allowing for the shape and arrangement of the flag to be changed and for additional stripes and stars to be added upon the admission of each new state.
Today, the US flag consists of thirteen horizontal red and white stripes with 50 white stars on the blue canton. The 50 stars represent the states of the United States, and the 13 stripes represent the 13 British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and organized as the first states in the Union. With affection, the US flag is often referred to as "Old Glory." Historically, the US flag was used throughout the North to symbolize nationalism and the rejection of secessionism during the Civil War, and Betty Ross is noted to have sewn the first American flag. It was also used as a military ensign and flown from ships, embassies and forts. It was a convenient way of marking American territory.
The American flag is often flown year-round at public buildings, and it is not uncommon for American citizens to fly the flag at their private homes. By acts of Congress and presidential proclamations, the American flag is continuously displayed at specific locations, including the Marine Corps War Memorial, White House, Fort McHenry National Monuments and Historic Shrine and at the site of the Battle Green in Massachusetts. Civic holidays, such as President's Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, are also widespread with US flags. On Memorial Day, it is proper flag etiquette to fly the flag at half-staff in commemoration of those who lost their lives battling in U.S. Wars.
The United States Flag Code outlines specific guidelines for the use and disposal of the American flag. For example, the US flag should never be dipped, unless it is an ensign responding to a ship of another nation. This tradition stems from the 1908 Olympics in London, where countries were required to dip their flag to King Edward VII. It was widely held that the US flag should never be dipped to any earthly king. In addition, the code stipulates that the American should never touch the ground and should be illuminated when flown at night. If the US flag is so worn and tattered, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, such as burning. Although the United States Flag Code is still in existence, it is only binding on government institutions. Americans love to show their patronage with US flags. Often, parade goers are seen with hand-heldUS flags, and many Americans don their US flag tee-shirts proudly. It's just one way Americans can display their commitment to the ideals of the red, white and blue.
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