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Evolution of the United States Flag
No one knows with absolute certainty who designed the first stars and stripes
or who made it. Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely to have designed it, and few historians believe that Betsy
Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one. Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order
of the stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show
unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the flag maker. In general,
however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting
the flag of the United States are the following:
On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for
the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be
made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a
new Constellation."
Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
Act of
April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following
the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.
Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 -
established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single
point of each star to be upward.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement
of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
Executive Order of President
Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally
and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.
Flag Folding
As an Military custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat. Special care
should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered
hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes
are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.
This custom of special
folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone.
How to fold the Flag
Step 1
To properly
fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Step
2
Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges
securely.
Step 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Step
4
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the
flag.
Step 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
Step 6
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this
manner.
Step 7
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be
visible. stars should be visible.
WHY THE AMERICAN FLAG IS FOLDED 13 TIMES
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second
fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans
departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of
peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for
in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still
our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed
Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries
of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death,
that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
The ninth fold
is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the
men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to the father,
for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The
eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and
glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian
citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Thirteenth
fold completes the folds, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust".
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the
soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones,
who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights,
privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the
reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet,
who has given us freedom
of speech. It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble. It is the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the VETERAN, not the politician,
Who has
given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN,
who salutes the Flag,
who serves under the Flag,
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