How much do you know about our Star-Spangled Banner? In honor of flag day on June 14th, we’ve gathered some flag facts for you and your family to share:
- On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved: 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.”
- It is said that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first flag.
- Do you know the first 13 States represented by the stars on the flag?
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hapshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island. - The actual arrangement of the stars on the flag varied greatly – some flags show the stars arranged in a circle, others in rows.
- The most recent, 50th star was added in 1960 following the addition of Hawaii on August 21st, 1959.
- Have you ever noticed that guards pay meticulous attention that the flag is correctly folded 13 times? There is a meaning associated with each fold. Read what it is here.
- Have you ever noticed that the flag on the right sleeve of a military uniform is “backwards,” whereas the flag on the left sleeve is displayed “correctly”? This represents the view of an actual flag in the breeze as the wearer moves forward: The star field is at the front, or to the flag’s own right.
- When a flag is worn beyond repair, it should be destroyed ceremoniously by burning in a fire.