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Today is Flag Day in the United States. Display the red, white, and blue proudly today because for all of her flaws, this is still a great country filled with amazing people! Thank God we have the freedom to celebrate together even when we disagree with each other!

The flag is a symbol of our country. Here are 13 facts to learn and teach others about our amazing American Flag!

  1. Our first flag looked very similar to England’s Union Jack! To unite the people who were fighting for their independence, George Washington designed the first flag. It had 13 red and white stripes to represent each of the original colonies.
  2. The blue corner with the white stars represented a “new constellation” with the birth of the United States. Each star represents a new state to join the union.
  3. The colors on the flag are meaningful too. White signifies purity, innocence, and high ideals. Red, hardiness, valor, and the color of the blood lost in securing our freedom. Blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
  4. Betsy Ross was an experienced tent mender and seamstress. While she probably didn’t design the flag, she certainly helped George Washington in creating a first flag.
  5. Today The Flag Manufacturers Association of America credits another American and Signer of the Declaration as the designer. Here is what they tweeted out on February 4, 2021:#FlagFact: The designer of the American flag was Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey.
  6. June 14 is the date for the holiday, commemorating the day in 1777 when the second continental congress approved the flag design.
  7. There have been 27 versions of the American Flag since the first one.
  8. Honoring the flag was a grassroots effort. In 1885, Wisconsin schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand published an essay in a Chicago newspaper urging Americans to celebrate Flag Day!
  9. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as flag day. It wasn’t until 1949 that congress finally made it an official date.
  10. Pennsylvania is the only state that celebrates Flag Day as a state holiday.
  11. The flag should not be displayed during inclement weather. Bring it in at night unless it is illuminated.
  12. The flag should never touch the ground. It is never dipped for any person, even the president.
  13. Dispose of an old flag in a respectful manner. American Legions will have an unserviceable flag ceremony for disposing of old and tattered flags.
  14. A flag is hung at half-staff as a sign of national grief and mourning.
  15. An upside-down flag is a sign of distress.
  16. The current design was the work of 17-year-old high school student, Robert G. Heft from Lancaster, Ohio. He actually received a B for the design from his school teacher. When Congress approved it, the grade was raised to an A! Although this story is somewhat controversial, I like it. It could become an American Tall Tale – like Paul Bunyan.
  17. Five American Flags are actually still up on the moon!
  18. You can order your own flag that has actually flown over the nation’s capital! Just go here and follow the instructions. It even comes with a certificate of authenticity.!
  19. The flag always flies at the White House, Fort McHenry, and the Iwo Jima memorial.
Flag Day Notebooking Pages (FREE)
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