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Slideshow: In Honor of Flag Day, The History of Old Glory

Jun. 14, 2011 11:05am

left right Photo 1 of 10

1775: Grand Union Flag

Known to be the first real U.S. flag, the design of the Grand Union (often referred to as the Continental flag) represented Colonial unity. George Washington chose this flag to fly on New Years Day 1776 to celebrate the formation of the Continental Army.

1775: Grand Union Flag

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1776: Betsy Ross Flag

Betsy Ross designed this flag during the American Revolution. It features thirteen stars and stripes. The Ross flag is notable because of the arrangement of the stars in a circle. Tradition dates it to July 4, 1776, when George Washington and a committee visited Betsy and suggested a design. Ross agreed to make the flag, but replaced the committee's proposed six-pointed stars with five-pointed stars.

1776: Betsy Ross Flag

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1777: The First Official U.S. Flag

This 13-Star Flag became the Official Flag of the United States on June 14th, 1777. The June 14th date was later designated by President Woodrow Wilson as Flag Day. In this flag's design, both the stars and stripes represent the thirteen original colonies, which had been created under the Declaration of Independence just one year prior.

1777: The First Official U.S. Flag

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1777: Bennington Flag

The Bennington Flag gets its name from the American Revolution Battle of Bennington, which took place on August 16, 1777. Similar to the other flags of the American Revolution, the Bennington Flag displays thirteen stars and stripes. Notable features of this flag include the large '76' in the canton, and white (rather than red) outermost stripes. Another distinctive feature of the Bennington flag is that its stars have seven points, rather than five.

1777: Bennington Flag

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1795: Star Spangled Banner

This flag, known as the Star Spangled Banner, was adopted on May 1, 1795. Its two additional stars represented the admission of Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792). The Banner was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes, and it is immortalized in Francis Scott Key's national anthem. The original flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, inspiring Key, is now preserved in the Smithsonian Museum.

1795: Star Spangled Banner

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1818: The Great Star Flag

It was Captain Samuel Chester Reid, U.S.N. at the request of Congressman Peter H. Wendover of New York, who originally proposed a flag that would return to thirteen stripes, and add one star for each new state. Reid's original design shaped the stars into one larger star, shown here. When Reid's design came before the house on March 24, 1818 the proposal to return the stripes at thirteen was accepted, but Reid's star formation was not.

1818: The Great Star Flag

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1818 Flag (20 Stars)

The Flag Act of 1818 restored the design to thirteen stripes for the original colonies (per Reid's design), and specified twenty stars for the twenty states that existed at that time. The additional stars added to this flag represented Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi. It lasted only one year.

1818 Flag (20 Stars)

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1861: Lincoln Flag, 34 Stars

This 34-starred banner was raised over Philadelphia's Independence Hall by President Lincoln on February 22, 1861 to send a message to Southern states, which were preparing to secede from the Union. It became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1861.

1861: Lincoln Flag, 34 Stars

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1912: 48-Star Flag

Throughout its history, the design of the United States flag has been modified 26 times since it was first adopted in 1777. This 48-star version went unchanged for 47 years (July 4, 1912 – July 3, 1959). The 49-star version became official on July 4, 1959, with the addition of Alaska.

1912: 48-Star Flag

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1959: Old Glory (50 stars)

Many unsolicited 50-star flag design proposals were sent to President Eisenhower in the 1950's. One was by 17-year-old Robert G. Heft, in 1958. Heft had received a B- for the design, which was a school project. His teacher joked that if Congress accepted it, the grade would adjusted. On Aug. 21, 1959 Heft's design was adopted by President Eisenhower. This is our flag today.

1959: Old Glory (50 stars)

photos courtesy of cliff1066′s Flickr photostream.

Comments (72)

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  • RationalJames
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:01pm

    Cool beans, I love seeing all the neat variations. It’s so unfortunate that people use it to represent the opposite of what this country was built upon, though. I tend to see only the most curmudgeonly and intolerant people flying it, claiming that they believe in freedom.
    When can I marry my boyfriend, then?

    Report this comment

    RationalJames  
  • llotus
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:45pm

    And the Star-Spangled banner in triumph shall wave O`er the land of the frree and the home of the brave. Lotus.

    Report this comment

    llotus  
  • Excal
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:26pm

    Why does the “13″ star flag only have 11 stars?

    Report this comment

    Excal  
  • DebbieFisher
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:21pm

    I do love that flag. My neighborhood rules ban all open outdoor displays, so there no religious or patriotic displays anywhere of any kind. But the front office at the entrance of the apartment neighborhood does have three tall flagpoles, all proudly flying Old Glory. For myself, I console myself with 6″x4″ flag which I keep on display 24/7 beside my front door. If I ever adequately master the current technology and the laws of downloading, I intend to fill up a file with historic pictures, re-creations, and represetations of the flags of America throughout her history.

    Report this comment

    DebbieFisher  
  • WWAA
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:15pm

    Fun fact: Betsy Ross demonstrated that it is very easy to make a 5 pointed star (when the committee argued that it was too hard to make)…

    with one snip: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html

    Report this comment

    WWAA  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:05pm

    Better not find any DC/PR additions on next years.. Well that went out the window with the pelosi congress. Beware- They surely would have..

    Report this comment

    Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Hockeydadfla
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:47pm

    ‘Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

    AMEN!

    Report this comment

    Hockeydadfla  
  • marthasusan40
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Thank you for posting..nothing is more beautiful than the American Flag…flying freely….please remember NEVER buy an American flag that was not made in the USA…please pass this on..if we refuse to purchase flags made anywhere else, retailers will stop buying them…please support the US manufacturers who proudly make our flag…Google American made flags and you will find many examples of companies who specialize in USA made flags..thanks..

    Report this comment

    marthasusan40  
  • inthedesert
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Our son is 15 today. So he and his sister have always known what the significance of June 14th is. Our flag is flying proudly every day. They are both proud patriots who attended 9-12 in Washington.

    Report this comment

    inthedesert  
  • Reavist
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Poem written by SMSgt. Don S. Miller, USAF (Ret.)
    “My Name Is Old Glory”

    The first time I heard it, was when it was recited at my dad’s military honor funeral (US Navy CPO)
    It touched me so. The perfect poem for flag day.

    It is found at this link.
    http://www.usa-patriotism.com/poems/cf/old_glory1.htm

    Report this comment

    Reavist  
  • hi
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:33pm

    Obama…”Where is today’s flag with the 57 stars?”

    Report this comment

    hi  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:41pm

      Waiting on mexico to make it 58

      Report this comment

      USAMEDIC3008  
    • bigjack940
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 10:40am

      First we get Peurto Rico. so oblama will have them vote for him in the up coming election. And then Libya, Greece, Somalia,and anywhere else he figures will help his agenda, to ruin our country. Its al part of his master plan. Our flag should be flown every day, and explained to each and every child in the country, so that they will l know the truth about how any have died to insure our freedom. That and ths fact that this country was founded on rerligion, and the two go hand in hand. Now is the time to get rid of oblama and all of his cronies, alng with all the other left wing overthrowers.

      Report this comment

      bigjack940  
  • ilovetheusa1
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:28pm

    what do you mean it’s flag day, I have to go to Puerto Rico to find a new crop of voters. anyways, what does flag day mean.

    Report this comment

    ilovetheusa1  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:09pm

    Oh man, I forgot it was flag day. It completely slipped my mind. I forgot to put out my flags and fly one from my car. I will rectify that mistake quickly.

    Report this comment

    Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:00pm

    if you don’t love what old glory stands for, then leave. she will always fly above my home as long as i am a live, and if people are offended, then kiss my ****.

    Report this comment

    commonsenseguy  
  • Mr. Oshawott
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:40am

    Amazing slideshow of American Flag history!

    Report this comment

    Mr. Oshawott  
  • Vickie Dhaene
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:36am

    God Bless America !!! Congratulations to the US Army on their birthday. I fly my flag proudly every day.

    Report this comment

    Vickie Dhaene  
  • Drum Man
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:34am

    Diplay your Flag’s proudly today and EVERYDAY, Fellow Blazer’s!

    Report this comment

    Drum Man  
  • IwontcollectSS1987
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:30am

    “God hates flags.”- Westboro Baptist Church

    hehe

    Report this comment

    IwontcollectSS1987  
  • geonj
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:30am

    never be afraid to stand up against any assault against our flag. it happens every day.

    Report this comment

    geonj  
  • hechafteth
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:28am

    While Old Glory evokes national pride in most of us, it also evokes hatred for everything it stands for.

    Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
    What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
    O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
    And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
    Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
    O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

    On the shore dimly seen thro’ the mists of the deep,
    Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
    What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
    As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
    Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
    In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
    ‘Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

    And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
    That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
    A home and a country should leave us no more?
    Their blood has wash’d out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
    No refuge could save the hireling and slave
    From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
    And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
    O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

    O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
    Between their lov’d home

    Report this comment

    hechafteth  
    • hechafteth
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:09pm

      O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
      Between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation;
      Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
      Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
      Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
      And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
      And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
      O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

      Report this comment

      hechafteth  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:27am

    Now we have to protect what we have, because the “new world order” wants to take it away!

    Report this comment

    Netsurfer2  
    • USAMEDIC3008
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:38pm

      HECHAFTETH
      Time for you to pick the flag you like,
      then go live under it….
      Can’t remember who said it but
      USA the worst country to live in,except
      for all the rest..

      Report this comment

      USAMEDIC3008  
    • hechafteth
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 2:58pm

      @medic
      ~~~~~~
      Keep joint of medical marijuana in your mouth while you’re wrapped up in our nation’s banner, I’ll be right back with a light…

      Report this comment

      hechafteth  
  • TheDebtWeAllPay
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:24am

    God bless America

    Report this comment

    TheDebtWeAllPay  
  • oldasdirt
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:09am

    These colors dont run.
    Bachmann/West

    Report this comment

    oldasdirt  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:08am

    Glad to see this slide show.

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:08am

    We are celebrating Flag Day on my show, http://www.1530kcmn.com

    I hope everyone reads this story and tells their children about our Flag.

    Report this comment

    TRONINTHEMORNING  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:15am

      Exellent, thank you for the link.

      Report this comment

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • lovenfl3
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:30am

      Good for you Tron, nice to know we still have some patriotic Americans left. We shoould all be honoring this great country today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZUqKHTW5_Y God Bless America!

      Report this comment

      lovenfl3  
    • LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:35am

      …It’s the emblem of ..the land i love ……everybody sing

      Report this comment

      LOOKING_BOTH_WAYS  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 11:42am

      There is one day I would love to see after Obama is out of office along with the other Progressives as well; the Flag flying in full display in the wind, and the scene of the progressives and administration members cell doors closing on their conviction of High Treason.

      Report this comment

      Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 12:09pm

      Yes, we celebrate flag day. My husband is giving a ceremony on the flag and what each fold represents to a group of people at a retirement home today. He is a state commander & gives much of his time for the American Legion.

      Report this comment

      Bluebonnet  
    • banjarmon
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 1:31pm

      Still UNDER GOD!

      Report this comment

      banjarmon  
    • captaingrumpy
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 7:33pm

      I counted that the thirteen star flag only has eleven starts. Where are the other two??????

      Report this comment

      captaingrumpy  
    • 4blackhorses
      Posted on June 14, 2011 at 8:34pm

      I do wonder what young Heft’s grade was “adjusted” to?

      Report this comment

      4blackhorses  
    • daavidruth93
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 5:55am

      It is to be expected that an organization dedicated to patriotic service should seek to promote a proper knowledge of, and respect for, the American Flag, and all that it represents. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has done this in many ways. Perhaps the most effective of its prescri…bed activities is the Flag Day Service. Each Subordinate Lodge is required to conduct this service annually on June l4th, the anniversary of the birth of the American Flag.
      The idea of a Flag Day Service was first suggested to our Order by the then Grand Exalted Ruler at the 1907 Grand Lodge Session in Philadelphia. Of the dates submitted for consideration at that time, June 14th was adopted by the session and was called “Elks Flag Day.” The following year, in Dallas, the Grand Lodge approved a ritual for the Flag Day ceremony.
      The 1911 Grand Lodge Session at Atlantic City made the observance of Flag Day mandatory for Subordinate Lodges by the adoption of Section 229 of the Statutes: “It shall be the duty of each Subordinate Lodge to hold the service known as “Flag Day Services” at the time and in the manner prescribed by the ritual of the Order.
      Later on – at the Grand Lodge Session in Atlantic City in 1930 – there was added to this statute an amendment, reading: “The Grand Exalted Ruler may, in exceptional cases and for good cause, grant a dispensation for a different day or to any two or more Lodges to hold such services jointly.”
      It was not until August 3rd, 1949 that

      Report this comment

      daavidruth93  
    • daavidruth93
      Posted on June 15, 2011 at 5:56am

      Part 2;
      It was not until August 3rd, 1949 that the President of the United States signed Public Law 203, designating June 14th as Flag Day. Thus our Order was not only the first fraternal organization to celebrate Flag Day, but had made this ceremony mandatory long years before the date on which the observance became a nation-wide practice by legal decree.
      The ritual for the occasion is an elaborate one and it is quite generally conducted as a public ceremonial. It is designed to be informative as well as inspirational; and the colorful pageantry provided lends itself admirably to the achievement of these objectives. It was President Harry S. Truman who signed the Flag Day bill into law on August 3rd, 1949, who was himself an Elk.

      Report this comment

      daavidruth93  
1 2

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