American flag: history, symbolism and traditions. How did the American flag appear and what does it mean?

The state symbol and the standard of America has changed more than once since its inception. And it happened in June 1777, when the Continental Congress passed a new law on the flag. According to this document, the American flag was supposed to be a rectangular canvas with 13 stripes and 13 stars on a blue background. This was the original project. But time has changed it ...

What does the American flag look like?

Of course, everyone saw the banner of America. This rectangular panel, the ratio of which is 10 to 19, respectively. And how many bands on the American flag, you know? Answer: 13. There are six white and seven red horizontal lines on the US banner, which alternate with each other.

The upper corner of the flag near the shaft itself is called "canton". It is made in dark blue color. On this square are fifty white stars.

It is also interesting how the American flag is called in the homeland. The most common names are Stars and Stripes, which means "Stars and Stripes", and Star Spangled Banner - "Star-Spangled Banner". There are some more less than running names. For example, "Star-Striped", "Old Glory" or "Striped Stars". Americans in general are trembling to their flag and consider it the most beautiful symbol of their country.

What does the American flag mean?

Like any state symbol, the US flag is the face of the country. Each element, depicted on a rectangular canvas, has a special meaning.

So, the colors of the American flag (white, red and blue) are chosen for a reason. They are full of meaning. Blue is a symbol of vigilance, perseverance, loyalty, loyalty, friendship and justice. Red means valor, zeal and courage. And white color - a sign of innocence and purity of moral principles.

The official names for the blue and red colors of the American flag are "Blue of Old Glory" (sometimes called "Navy Blue") and "Red of Old Glory". These colors are much darker than those used on the banners of other powers. There is an opinion that such shades were chosen specifically so that they slowly faded on the flags of ships during sea voyages.

Stars on the American flag symbolize the heavens and divine goals, to which humanity has been striving since time immemorial. Each star is one state of the country. They are on a modern banner - 50. The stripes are the rays of light coming directly from the sun, as well as the 13 colonies of America that rebelled in the struggle for independence.

From the history

The American flag is one of the oldest national standards of all time. And despite the fact that no documentary evidence that could confirm who the author of his first design has not survived, historians suggest that behind this stands Francis Hopkinson, whose signature is under the Declaration of Independence. It is believed that it was he who made changes to the existing Continental flag and gave it the kind of banner that it has today.

In 1776, General George Washington raised the flag of the Continental Army. On this banner were red and white stripes, as well as the British "Union Jack", located in the place where today sparkle 50 stars against a blue background.

Several different variants containing 13 strips were used during the years 1776-1777. Until the Congress approved the official American flag - June 14, 1777. Today is the US Flag Day, which is celebrated annually. The resolution of the Congress stated that "the 13th banner of the United States contains 13 alternating bands of white and red, as well as a blue field and 13 white stars on it, which represent a new constellation." America's first president, Washington explained the design of the flag in its own way: "We took these stars from heaven, red means our homeland, and the white lines that share it symbolize our separation from it; These bands will become a symbol of our freedom. "

The first place where the new American flag was first used was Brandyine in Pennsylvania. This happened during a grand battle in October 1777. And over foreign shores it was first raised in 1778, when the Americans captured the fort of Nassau in the Bahamas.

Betsy Ross and the first official flag

The history of the American flag, or rather, its creation is surrounded by legends. And the most beautiful of them is connected with the dressmaker Betsy Ross.

So, in 1780, Congressman Hopkinson sent a dispatch to Congress with a request to pay him a fee in the form of a barrel of wine for his work on the design of the American flag. However, he was denied, because the flag was actually worked by a completely different person - the dressmaker Betsy Ross of Philadelphia. As early as June 1776, General Washington, along with Colonel Ross and financier Morris, went to the workshop to see the wonderful woman Betsy Ross. It was to her that Washington showed a sketch of the flag that he had come up with. It is believed that Betsy replaced the six-pointed stars that were in the sketch, the five-pointed ones, since they were difficult to make. And soon the first national flag of the USA was made.

However, this is just a legend. After all, how could Washington, who was in Philadelphia for only about two weeks, find time to create a flag design in a difficult and critical time for a young country, and even organize an ad hoc committee on this issue? It's almost impossible. And there are no corresponding records anywhere.

In the 90s of the 18th century, Kentucky and Vermont received the status of states. Then Congress approved the addition of two more bands and stars to those that in the original meant the first 13 colonies that had become states. In 1814, Francis Scott Cray sang this "Star Banner."

As more and more states joined the union, the question arose: how many stripes on the American flag depict? Their addition was simply not possible. Then in 1818, Congress decided to restore the original 13-lane flag. From this moment on the banner was allowed to add only the stars, symbolizing the new states.

The final design

According to the Law of 1818, the stripes on the US flag are only horizontal, red, alternating with white, and on the canton were depicted 20 stars. That's how many united states were at that time. However, neither the size nor color of the stars was specified. Therefore, there were many different versions of the banner in the country. For example, during the Civil War, gold stars were widely used, located in a circle.

In 1912, this confusion was decided to correct. At that time, the united states were already 48. A single version of the banner was developed. It became tougher in 1960, when there were 50 states.

The requirements were as follows: the American flag should contain 6 white and 7 red stripes. They go from top to bottom and alternate with each other. Canton is dark blue and is located in the upper left part of the flag. It has 50 stars with five ends, arranged in 9 horizontal lines. In even numbers - 5 stars each, in odd numbers - 6.

Flag Day

In 1861, the "star-striped" skyrocketed. This was the first summer of the Civil War in Connecticut. And this day was the US Flag Day. Many patriotic groups supported the idea of celebrating this event every year throughout the country. However, the holiday was not official.

At the end of the XIX century, they returned to this issue. Then many schools held programs dedicated to the Flag Day. So they tried to "Americanize" immigrant children. Thanks to this, the celebration of the Flag Day began to be conducted by separate communities.

However, it was not until 1916 that the national veneration of the banner was proclaimed by the US president that day. And in 33 years the Congress decided to make this day a national holiday. By the way, Flag Day is a working day. The only exception is Pennsylvania.

United States Flag Code

In the United States, the flag is very reverent and respectful. There is even a special "Flag Code" - a set of rules for its use.

• So, the banner of America should never touch the ground. There is even a legend that if the flag falls to the ground, it must be burned to protect itself and the country from misfortunes.
• The symbol of the country should always be visible. Even at night it needs to be illuminated.
• You can not use banner images for advertising purposes or as bed linens, towels and clothes. The exception is the coffin drapery during the funeral.
• The flag can not be flipped. Canton should always be on top. Exception - signals of disasters, mourning or military actions.
• The symbol of America should always fly freely in the wind. It can not be compressed or twisted. After all, he is the personification of the country's freedom.

When the flag is hung up

Usually, an American flag is hung during celebrations. And it hangs around the clock - from dawn to dusk.

Mandatory days when the US flag is to be posted:

• 31.12-01.01 - in the New Year;
• The third Monday in January, which is dedicated to Martin Luther King;
• January 20 with the frequency of every four years - the day of the inauguration of the President of America;
• February 12, when Abraham Lincoln was born (16th US President);
• The third Monday of February, dedicated to the presidents of the country;
• The third Saturday of May - the Day of the US Army;
• The last Monday in May - Day of sorrow and memory of the dead soldiers;
• June 14 - Flag Day;
• July 4 - Independence Day of the USA (on this day, except for hanging the flag, there is also a festive fireworks);
• September 17 - Constitution Day;
• The first Monday of October, dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who discovered America;
• October 27 - US Navy Day;
• The fourth Thursday of November - Thanksgiving Day, etc.

Eternal symbol

The US flag, as a rule, hangs a day, and then, after the holiday, it is lowered. But there are several places where the banner flutters forever:

• Over Fort McHenry in Baltimore (there is a copy of the very "Banner, strewn with stars", which became the prototype of the US Hymn);
• Over the White House, which is the current residence of the President of America;
• Over the Capitol of Congress;
• In Arlington, over the US Marine Corps Memorial;
• In border and customs control points;
• As many as fifty flags are hung out in the US capital - Washington, over the Monument of America's first president - George Washington;
• At the South Pole of the Earth;
• On the surface of the moon.

Missing symbol of the USA on the Moon

In 1969, the first American flag appeared on the surface of the Moon. On July 20, the crew of Apollo landed on the Earth satellite and installed its symbol there. The first American on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, then said that this small human step would be a leap forward for all of humanity.

During each next mission to the Earth satellite, the Americans left their national banner in the lunar soil. This became a tradition for them. There were six flights in total and flags too.

However, 40 years after the last expedition, NASA specialists were amazed at the new images that came from the satellite: where did one of the banner disappear? Now they are flying only five. Where did one of the leaves left in the ground go?

There are many versions. From completely explicable to absolutely unreal. Some argue that in Space, someone has too long hands, others - that this is the work of "rivals". NASA's minds suggest that the flag could burn during the take-off of the Apollo 11 rocket back in 1961. But the official version yet. And it is unlikely that we will ever know where the national symbol of America disappeared.