A Symbol of Freedom

This week, in honor of Independence Day on July 4, The Mini Page shares more about the flag that has become a symbol of U.S. freedom.

The first flag

The original American flag had 13 red and white stripes and 13 white stars on a blue background. The stripes and stars stood for the original 13 states.

Congress hoped the flag would be a symbol for freedom. In a resolution about the flag, it said, “White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue signifies Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.”

No one knows for sure who designed the flag. Many people think that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag, but there are different accounts of who designed it and who produced it.

Before the United States had a flag, many of the states used their own flags as they fought against the British for independence.

Respecting the flag

The U.S. Congress has set up rules about how our flag should be treated. Here are a few:

• When the flag is displayed flat against the wall, the stars should be at the top and to the flag’s own right (our left).

• A flag should be taken down if the weather is so bad it could be badly damaged.

• When the flag is flown along with state flags, the U.S. flag should be displayed above and in the middle of the state flags.

• Do not place any other flag above our flag, except at the United Nations. There, the U.N. flag flies above all others, and the flags of all the countries are flown in alphabetical order.

• When a flag is flown outside, it is usually flown during the day and taken down at night. In public places, flags flying at night should be lighted.

• Do not display the flag upside down except as a signal of distress.

Mini Fact: Our 50-star flag dates from July 4, 1960.

George Washington used the Grand Union Flag to represent the 13 colonies before the first flag was adopted.

Flags fly outside the United Nations building in New York City.

A flag flying at halfstaff, or halfway up the pole, stands for mourning.