June 14, 2018 – On this day in 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of the United States flag – 13 red and white stripes and 13 stars signifying the 13 colonies. As states entered the Union, stars were added. In 1960, the 50th star was added when Hawaii became a state.

The resolution adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 stated:

“That the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation”

It was a bold resolution since in 1777, it was not clear if the patriots fighting for independence from England would be successful. On July 4, 1776, the rebel patriots had written and adopted the Declaration of Independence. The nascent nation needed a flag. Other designs were considered but on June 14, 1777, the final design was approved and the flag adoptedGeorge Washington visited Betsy Ross, a seamstress in Philadelphia, to ask her to sew a flag.

The new flag was first flown in battle on September 11, 1777 at the Battle of the Brandywine.

The American Revolution ended when the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783. The treaty granted sovereignty to the United States of America. The flag with 13 stars did not change until 1795 when Vermont and Kentucky became states adding two stars to the flag.

During the War of 1812, the Stars and Stripes (the American flag) inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem. From a ship, Key saw that the flag was still flying at Fort McHenry in the morning after the British attacked the fort through the night. That poem eventually became the national anthem.

States were admitted to the Union throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. By 1912, there were 48 stars on the flag. The “Lower 48” states were set. In 1949, the U.S. Congress passed a law setting aside June 14 as Flag Day.

In 1959, Alaska was admitted to the Union and in 1960, Hawaii became the 50th state. One more star was added to the constellation on the flag bringing the total to 50 stars.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. When was the design of the American flag adopted?

2. What political body approved the design?

3. What do the stars and strips signify?

4. When was the U.S. flag first flown in battle?

5. How did the flag inspire Francis Scott Key?

INQUIRY QUESTIONS

1. What does the word “constellation” mean in the context of the 1777 proclamation?

2. What were the practical uses of flags in the 18th and 18th centuries by the military?

3. How are the national anthem and the flag symbols of the country?