14 JUNE 2024 FLAG DAY! THE HISTORY OF OLD GLORY

Today, we as Americans come together in order to honor and reflect on our nation’s flag, the proud symbol that has inspired us throughout our history, embodying our spirit of unity, resilience, and identity. As we explore its origins and history, we first focus on the early flags that accompanied our quest for independence and the crucial role they played in shaping our nation.

Let us turn our attention to the Grand Union Flag, also known as the Continental Colors. This flag was first raised on December 3, 1775, by the Continental Army under General George Washington. At this critical moment in history, the 13 original colonies were fighting as a united front, even though all the while a significant number of the colonists were professing loyalty to the British Crown. This flag’s design—a combination of thirteen red and white alternating stripes representing the thirteen colonies, and the British Union Jack in the canton—reflected this awkward and contentious duality. The stripes signified unity and common cause among the colonies, while the Union Jack symbolized continued allegiance to the British crown and their hopes for a peaceful resolution within the Empire.

A common misconception about our flag pertains to the colors red, white, and blue. Many believe that these colors were chosen for symbolic meaning—red for valor, white for purity, and blue for vigilance. However, these meanings were actually ascribed years later. It is more pragmatically thought that red, white, and blue were chosen simply because they were the king's colors. In fact, the flag of each colony that flew over every colonial capital bore those colors. It’s only natural, since these colors were, of course, very familiar, and moreover represented authority, making them a logical choice for the early American flags.

Next, let us turn our attention to another significant flag in our nation’s history — Washington's Headquarters Flag. During the harsh winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge, General George Washington and his Continental Army faced severe hardships, including cold weather, lack of supplies, and disease. Despite these immense challenges, this period was crucial for the army's training and cohesion, largely thanks to the efforts of Baron von Steuben.

Washington’s Headquarters Flag is notable for its simplicity and distinctive design. The entire field of the flag is blue, featuring 13 white six-pointed stars arranged in a 3-2-3-2-3 pattern—five rows of alternating stars. This design marked the first use of the multi-star pattern as an American flag, a precursor to the stars on our current flag. Unlike today’s five-pointed stars, the six-pointed stars in this flag may have been influenced by European heraldic traditions. It’s also quite likely that Washington specified six-pointed stars as a way to thank and pay homage to Haym Salomon, a Jewish patriot, who provided crucial financial support for the war.

This flag carried a profound meaning. It symbolized unity and Washington’s leadership during a critical time in the Revolutionary War. The stars clearly represented the original 13 colonies and their collective struggle for independence. Today, a replica of this flag hangs in front of Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge, commemorating his leadership and the resilience of his troops during this pivotal period.

As the colonies’ desire for independence increased, the need for a new symbol became apparent. The Union Jack’s presence on the Grand Union Flag became increasingly incongruent with their quest for independence. This led to the Flag Resolution of 1777, passed by the Continental Congress on June 14 of that year, which established the first official national flag. Its design comprised 13 stripes, alternating red and white, and a union of 13 white stars arranged in a circle on a blue field. An interesting detail is that the outermost stripes are specified to be red.

The Stars and Stripes emerged as a powerful symbol of the 13 colonies' unity and resolve. The stripes, representing the original colonies, and the stars, arranged in a circle, signified a new constellation and a unified, equal status among the colonies. Over time, as new states were admitted to the Union, the number of stars increased, while the 13 stripes remained to honor the original colonies.

In conclusion, the development and adoption of the American flag reflect our nation's journey from a collection of colonies to a united, independent country. The flags used during the Revolutionary War, such as Washington's Headquarters Flag and the Grand Union Flag, played crucial roles in rallying unity and resolve. The Stars and Stripes, adopted in 1777, embodied the emerging identity of the United States and continues to serve as a powerful emblem of our nation's enduring spirit and values.