Where Did the American Flag Come From?
July 3 | Posted by mrossol | American ThoughtThe American flag is so distinctive and such an embodiment of our ideals as a nation, that it’s hard to believe it didn’t just appear one day in its present form. But as the old adage goes, “Everything comes from somewhere.” And this holds true for our beloved Stars and Stripes.
Not only is our current flag the 27th version of the design, but there’s good evidence that it was originally inspired by the naval banner of a British colony on the opposite side of the globe.
Around the time of the revolution, Benjamin Franklin said to George Washington, “While the field on your flag must be new in the details of its design, it need not be entirely new in its elements. There is already in use a flag, I refer to the flag of the East India Company.”
The East India Company, which at the time ran the region that is now modern-day India and Pakistan in much the same way the thirteen American colonies were run, flew a number of flags with the alternating red and white stripes that are so familiar to us.
And in fact, the Grand Union Flag, which the unofficial ensign of the American Navy flew from 1775 to 1777, looks nearly identical to the East India Company flag.
However, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved, “that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Popular legend credits Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross with this design. Scholars now attribute the flag’s design to Francis Hopkinson, who also designed the Great Seal and the first coin of the United States. However, it is likely that Ross did sew early American flags in her family’s upholstery shop.
It’s interesting to note that the original purpose of the flag was as a naval ensign, used to identify American ships. In the 18th century most countries did not have national flags as we think of them today. They were more or less military communication devices.
One of the reasons our flag design has been changed repeatedly is the addition of new states, requiring additional stars. The last state to join the union was Hawaii in 1959. And our current fifty-star design was officially adopted on July 4, 1960.
The flag is a true symbol of freedom. And, by law, you cannot be forced to salute it or to pledge your allegiance to it.
However, we hope that this Independece Day, you will freely choose to display it. And as you look at the Stars and Stripes, remember and appreciate the liberty it represents.
Very truly yours,
Chris Gaughan & Casey Connealy
Gaughan & Connealy | Estate Planning Attorneys
Overland Park, KS
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.