Old Glory's history

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The American Flag has come to symbolize freedom, justice and prosperity. It is a source of hopes, dreams and aspirations of greatness. The American flag symbolizes freedom to the oppressed and honor to those who serve the nation it represents. The story of this country's humble beginnings echoes with every ripple of the flag as it waves proudly in the wind. It is a story more than 200 years in the making.

Created on June 4, 1777, the Second Continental Congress came to the conclusion the flag of the United States should consist of 13 stripes, alternating between seven red and six white. The union was to be represented by 13 stars in a blue field to symbolizing a new constellation. The set number of 13 symbolizes the original 13 colonies which constituted the newly born United States.

Since that day, the flag has evolved into what you see flying today. It has changed 26 times since it was adopted by the 13-state union. The 13 stripes still remain a symbol of the original colonies, but now there are 50 stars which represent the 50 states in the union. The colors of the flag have a meaning themselves: red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; and blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Betsy Ross, a historical icon, is accredited with the sewing of the first American flag by way of oral history testimony from her daughters and other family members. While many historians reject the account based on the lack of documented record of the sewing of the first flag, much of the historical dates and circumstantial evidence supports her story. 

The United States Flag Code outlines the guidelines for use, disposal and display of the flag. For example, the American flag should never touch the ground. A common misconception is if the flag does touch the ground it is to immediately be burned. While it is unfit for display, the only situations which call for the flag to be burned is if it so tattered or soiled that it could no longer serve as a symbol of the United States. 

In the event of a major catastrophe or tragedy, the flag is displayed at half staff as a sign of respect or mourning. This action is proclaimed nationwide only by the president and state-wide by the governor. The proper protocol for flying the flag at half staff is to first hoist it briskly to full staff, and reverently lowered to half staff. The action is reversed when lowering from half staff. 

From its controversial beginnings the American flag has been engraved in our culture. It has survived more than 200 years and many wars. On Sept. 11, 2001, the flag survived an event that shook the foundations of American security. It remained flying above what was left of the World Trade Center, though tattered and dirty, symbolic of the American hope that even through adversity, it, like our nation, would prevail. 

The American flag conjures emotions and stirs feelings in any and everyone who calls this nation home. One of the most prominent feelings is pride. Joe Rosenthal, a renown World War II photographer, captured Marines and Navy corpsman who risked their very lives to ensure the safety of the American flag. The American flag is a symbolic to the world of the American spirit. To Veterans and servicemembers, though, there is a particular pride when the flag is raised. To Americans, Old Glory is a symbol of past sacrifices, hard-won freedoms and champions the hope of future dreams. 


(Editor's note: This is the thrid story in the Patriotism series. These articles are aimed at promoting awareness of American and military tradition.)