History

Apart from the national flag, often called the “stars and stripes” or “the old glory,” there are U.S. State flags. All the fifty States of the United States have State flags pronouncing their individual identities.

The State flags are second only to the flag of the United States of America, which is the national flag. The State flags tell the story of the evolution, glory, power and prestige of the States.

The stars of the national flag represented the number of States. From 1777 to 1795, there were only thirteen stars, as there were only thirteen States. As more States came into being, more stars were added. The number of stars increased corresponding to the number of States added. All the States formed their own flags as these were formed.

The District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.the capital of the U.S.has a separate flag, which consists of three stars and two stripes, all red, in a white background and set in a rectangle. Puerto Rico, a Commonwealth associated with the U.S., has another flag.

Apart from all these, we have U.S. Air Force Flag, U.S. Army Flag, U.S. Marine Corps Flag and the U.S. Service Flag. The Department of Defense has authorized the Service Flag as an official banner that can be used for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during a war or while the U.S. is engaged in hostilities; it can be displayed during the duration of such hostilities.

The State flags stand for the richness and variety, all held together by the cohesion and unity proclaimed by the national flag.

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The national flag of the United States of America is a symbol of strength, unity, and freedom. The flag is often referred to as the “stars and stripes” or “old glory.” The national flag has been an inspiration for millions of people over a period of about 230 years.

Today, the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes; of the thirteen stripes, there are seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original thirteen colonies; the stars represent the fifty states. The color red symbolizes hardness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and the blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The U.S. has State flags for each of the fifty States. There is a separate flag for District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. There is also another flag for Puerto Rico, a commonwealth associated with the U.S. Apart from all of the aforementioned flags, there is the United States service flag, the U.S. Army Flag, U.S. Marine Corps Flag, U.S. Navy Flag, and flags of various organizations and institutions.

The U.S. flag that is of the utmost importance is the national flag, to which the greatest respect should be paid. No other flag can be flown above the national flag.

It was Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Philadelphia, who made the first U.S. flag in 1777. The famous name “old glory” was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831.

It is imperative that no one show disrespect to the national flag. The national flag should never be “dipped” or lowered to any person or thing. However, Regimental colors, State flags, and organizational or institutional flags should be dipped as a mark of honor.

The stars and stripes have changed in numbers and their order of placement, but these bestow on millions of people the inspiration, strength, and courage to fight for unity, freedom and justice.

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Federal law contains the Flag Code; the Flag Code stipulates the aspects of flag etiquette.

The flag should be lighted at all times, by sunlight or by an appropriate light source. The flag should be flown only in fair weather; it can only be flown in inclement weather if it has been designed for use in inclement weather. The flag should never be dipped to any individual or thing, and it is only ever flown upside down as a distress signal.

Although the flag cannot be used for any decoration in general, bunting of blue, white, and red stripes is available for decoration purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top. The flag cannot be used for advertising purposes, and it should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushion, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything that is discarded after temporary use.

Not only can the flag not be used for advertising, it is not permissible for advertising signs to be attached to the staff or halyard. The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag pattern may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it. It should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. For storage, the flag should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. When a flag is so worn and no longer fit to serve as a symbol of the country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

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