History behind Flag Day

During the Revolutionary war, the Colonists did not unite under a single flag, instead most fought under a regimental flag for their unit. On June 14, 1777, The Second Continental Congress passed The Flag Resolution which stated that, “the flag of the thirteen 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 thirteen stripes are to represent the 13 original colonies while the 13 stars symbolize the colonies that replaced those governed by Great Britain.

While it is unclear who designed the first flag, the most popular origin is that it was designed by Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Betsy Ross. The flag was changed over the years as more states entered into the union. It was the flag that had 15 stars and 15 stripes that inspired Francis Scott Keys, in 1812, to write the poem ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,” which was later adopted as our National Anthem.

In 1818 congress passed a resolution that the flag would go back to 13 stripes to honor the original 13 colonies while adding enough stars to represent the 20 states in the United States. Over the years the flag was modified to add stars when a new state joined the union. Flag makers also took liberties in creating their own constellations of stars on the flags. However, in 1912 President William H. Taft signed an executive order to regulate the proportions of the flag, specifying the placement of the stripes and the stars. In 1959, the flag which we now fly, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was established by President Dwight Eisenhower.

The colors of the flag are symbolic with red symbolizing hardiness and valor, white symbolizing purity and innocence, and blue representing vigilance, perseverance and justice. Today, the flag stands for our allegiance to the United States of America; helps unite us as Americans, and flying the flag shows pride in our country. In Morgan, each of the five schools have their student body and faculty stand each morning. with their hand on their hearts and recite the “Pledge of Allegiance.” We stand for the flag to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

While not an official federal holiday, June 14 is known as Flag Day in the United States of America. Flag Day was established on May 30, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson when he issued a presidential proclamation to make June 14 a national day of observance for Flag Day; 139 years after the Flag Resolution was established. In 1949, President Harry Truman signed legislation officially declaring June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

Flag Day is Celebrated with parades, essay contests, ceremonies and picnics typically sponsored by veterans’ groups. While Morgan does not do any of these things to celebrate Flag Day, the spirit squad from Morgan High School puts flags up in people’s yards as a fundraiser, with the dance putting them up in Mt. Green and cheer putting them up in Morgan. In addition, many residents fly their own flag in their yard. λ