The flag of the United States of America it has its origins in the war of independence of the 13 colonies.
Its colors are red, blue and white and it has 13 stripes and 50 stars.
Current flag of the United States of America
Origin
When George Washington led the American troops fighting the British he needed a flag that would unite all soldiers.
He then asked a Pennsylvania seamstress, Besty Ross, to make a flag from her design. Besty Ross made some changes and George Washington approved them.
First United States flag also called "Union Colors"
The flag still held the symbol of the flag of the United Kingdom. For this reason, Besty Ross would later have replaced them with the stars. George Washington approved the modification.
Read more about the Independence of the United States.
Meaning
The American flag inherited the red, blue and white colors of the English flag.
In heraldry – the science that studies coats of arms – red symbolizes resistance and courage; white refers to purity and innocence; and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.
The 13 stripes represent the colonies that fought against England. There are seven red stripes and six white stripes.
The stars constitute each of the American states that have been incorporated over time. Currently there are 50 stars.
The American pavilion is also nicknamed the Stars and Stripes (Stars and Stripes), Old Glory (Old Glory) and Red, Blue and White (Red, Blue and White).
History
American flag designed by Besty Ross and approved by the US Congress
The history of the American flag mixes legend and reality. Besty Ross told her descendants that she conceived the flag, from a design by George Washington.
True or not, this American flag model was accepted by the states that made independence. It became the symbol of the entire country after the Civil War.
On June 14, 1777, Congress determined that the new flag would have thirteen stripes and thirteen stars. This would symbolize the colonies that fought against the colonizing forces.
Read more :
- The Thirteen Colonies and the Formation of the United States
- United States
Curiosities
- The US flag has now been changed 26 times. The current version dates from 1960 when Hawaii joined the Union.
- The lyrics of the American anthem are a poem dedicated to the flag and all that it represents for the country. It was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and is entitled The Star-Spangled Banner ("The Starry Banner").
- American Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th.
Also know about other flags :
- Flag of Brazil
- Argentina flag
- Canada Flag
- Flag of Paraguay
- Flag of France
- Japan Flag
- Flag of Spain
- Flag of Russia
- Flag of Chile
- Flag of Uruguay