What is the name of the American flag. USA flag

It is fair to say that the national flag of the United States of America is the most recognizable in the world. Visually, it is familiar even to schoolchildren in remote settlements on all inhabited continents. But the details of the history of the American flag, coupled with the traditions of celebrating its Day, are less known.

It’s easy to guess that the beginning of the history of the Americans creating their own flag dates back to end of XVII century, when in 1776 the descendants of the first colonists realized themselves as a separate nation and declared independence from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the appearance of the United States on the world map, and in 1783 finally won the battle for independence.

However, on July 4, 1776, the day the Declaration of Independence was signed, the young state did not have its own flag.

On June 14, 1777, the official National Flag Law was passed, legitimizing as state symbol a canvas of 13 red and white horizontal stripes, as well as a blue rectangle with 13 white five-pointed stars.

The 13 stripes symbolized the number of first independent states. These are Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island.

It is impossible to establish today who exactly came up with this version of the flag, but historians are inclined to believe that it was the work of Francis Hopkinson, one of the “fathers of the nation” who signed the Declaration of Independence.

The first US flag in history is believed to have been sewn by Betsy Ross (often called a dressmaker, but nevertheless, this lady belonged to a very respected circle). Betsy Ross's involvement in the production of the first panel is reflected in literature and painting, although the legend, which is not without historical plausibility, has no documentary evidence.

In June 1776, Betsy Ross was invited to a meeting where, in addition to Washington, her late husband’s uncle, Colonel Robert Morris, one of the “fathers” of the young state, was present.

It was Betsy, the legend says, who was instructed by the meeting participants to sew a flag based on a sketch that depicted hexagonal stars. Betsy Ross assessed the project critically and suggested making the stars five-pointed, immediately cutting them out with scissors.

The first battle in which independence fighters fought under the new flag was the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania in September 1777.

The first change to the US flag dates back to May 1, 1795 - the day when the states of Vermont and Kentucky were officially consolidated into the United States. The addition of two stripes and two stars to the banner coincided with the famous British shelling of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. These two events 19 years later - in 1814 - were sung in the poem “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. It is this text that we know today as the anthem of the United States of America.

In 1818, the American flag changed its appearance again. The reason is the annexation of the states of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee. There were five more stars, but it was decided not to add stripes: on the contrary, it was decided to leave their original number - 13. From then on, only stars were added to the stripe.

Subsequently, the US flag underwent changes another 25 times. New star, traditionally symbolizing the addition of a new state, was added on the July 4th holiday.

On July 4, 1819, a star appeared in the blue rectangle of the flag, marking the annexation of the state of Illinois.

On the same day, but already in 1820, Alabama and Maine announced their entry into the United States with new stars, Missouri in 1822, Arkansas in 1836, Michigan in 1837, Michigan in 1845. om - Florida, in 1846 - Texas, in 1848 - Iowa, in 1848 - Wisconsin, in 1851 - California, in 1858 - Minnesota, in 1859 - Oregon, in 1861 - Kansas, in 1863 - West Virginia, in 1865 - Nevada, in 1867 - Nebraska, in 1877 - Colorado, in 1890 - North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Montana, in 1891 - Wyoming, 1896 - Utah, 1908 - Oklahoma, 1912 - New Mexico and Arizona, 1959 - Alaska, 1960 - Hawaii.

As a result, the US flag features 50 stars arranged in nine rows. A project to add a 51st star to symbolize the annexation of Puerto Rico is under consideration.

In most cases, the authors of the visual design of the flag were different people. The project for the latest version - with 50 stars - was developed in 1958 by 17-year-old Robert Heft from the provincial in Ohio, who received such an assignment from his teacher with the prospect of sending the drawing to Congress for approval.

Let's also talk about the history of the appearance of Flag Day in the calendar. History has preserved the name of the person who first celebrated it. This is Bijay Sigrand, a schoolteacher who celebrated Flag Day in 1885 with his students, which soon became widely known.

A year later, the tradition started by the teacher was picked up by many, but only in 1916 did President Wilson sign an official document declaring June 14 a flag holiday, and in 1949 President Truman- National Flag Day.

Americans highly respect the ethics of handling the flag. You can hang it upside down only when an “SOS” signal is given in this way. At the same time, US citizens who burn the flag as a protest against the actions of the country's administration are not prosecuted by law.

Another fact that seems quite contradictory: any image of a flag, including on packaging, in the USA is equated directly to the flag, and citizens are not recommended to wear ties, T-shirts and other clothing items with this image due to the fact that only one is allowed The form of disposal of a worn-out flag is burning. However, everyone can wear this image wherever they please, without fear of penalties.

To the question, what do people call the American flag? given by the author Leisan Habirova the best answer is US flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes
Proportions: 10:19. It is a panel with seven red and six white horizontal stripes. In the canton of blue color – 50 five-pointed stars white
The 13 stripes recall the early history of the American flag (1775-1783), when each state (there were 13) had one stripe and one star. The 50 stars in the canton symbolize the 50 states

Answer from Anatoly Laptev[guru]
Mattress.

Answer from Maks Astaykin[active]
stars and stripes

Answer from Vicky Smoky[guru]
It seems that they are also called Juno Jack...

Answer from Victoria[guru]
stars and stripes))

Answer from Sasha Galashin[newbie]
State flag The USA is one of the oldest national standards in the world. At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, the United States did not yet have an official national flag.
The urgent need for a new American flag was associated with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. A new symbol was needed. The first unofficial flag of the United States was the Continental Flag, also known as the Congressional Flag and the Cambridge Flag. The flag was almost an exact copy British flag East India Company. The only difference was in the number of stripes.
Continental Flag Replica of the Continental Flag
Continental flag
Replica of the Continental Flag
The new symbol of America was raised on December 2, 1775 by Lieutenant John Paul Jones on the ship Alfred in Philadelphia Harbor. From that point forward it was used by the Continental Forces as a naval and garrison ensign. Thus began the history of the US flag.
Later, on June 14, 1777, the National Flag Act retained the 13 red and white horizontal stripes and replaced the British flag with a blue rectangle depicting thirteen white five-pointed stars of equal size. The resolution stated: “The flag of the thirteen United States consists of 13 alternating stripes of red and white and 13 white stars on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” And George Washington explained the design in his own way: “We took the stars from heaven, red is the color of our homeland, the white stripes that divide it mean that we have separated from it; these white stripes will go down in history as a symbol of freedom.” June 14 is celebrated as Flag Day in the United States.
The authorship of the first Stars and Stripes flag has not been documented. Historians believe that it was Francis Hopkinson, one of the "Founding Fathers" who signed the Declaration of Independence, who made changes to the design of the Continental Flag.
First US flag
First US flag designed by Francis Hopkinson
In the United States, the story of a seamstress from Philadelphia, Betsy Ross, who, according to legend, sewed the first American flag, is very popular and beloved.
Tradition has it that in June 1776, Betsy Ross was invited to a meeting with US President George Washington, financier George Ross and Colonel Robert Morris, her late husband's uncle. At the meeting, she was presented with a draft of the US flag, which had to be completed for the upcoming declaration of independence. The original design for the flag called for hexagonal stars, which seemed easier to sew. But Betsy suggested depicting the stars as five-pointed and, as proof of her skill, she cut out similar stars with scissors. Impressed by what they saw, the committee accepted her proposal.

Prepared new project flag. The modern flag was approved on July 4, 1960. It is noteworthy that every new flag in the United States is adopted on the 4th of July.

Residents of the states call the US flag "Stars and Stripes", which means: "Stars and Stripes".

Among the national flags of countries in the world, it is one of the most variable.

Description

The US flag is a rectangular flag with thirteen white and red alternating stripes. In the roof there is a blue rectangle with 50 white stars. Has an aspect ratio of 10:19.

Symbolism

• The color red symbolizes valor.
• The color blue signifies diligence and vigilance.
• White is the color of innocence and purity.
• Thirteen stripes represent the original number of states that formed the state.
• The 50 stars symbolize the number of states, although the United States currently includes 50 states and one federal district.

• Flag width: A = 1
• Flag length: B=1.9
• Star region width: C = 0.5385 (A x 7/13, occupies seven stripes)
• Star area length: D = 0.76 (B × 2/5, two-fifths the length of the flag)
• E = F = 0.0538 (C/10, one tenth the width of the stellar region)
• G = H = 0.0633 (D/12, one-twelfth the length of the stellar region)
• Star diameter: K = 0.0616
• Stripe width: L = 0.0769 (A/13, one thirteenth of the flag width)

The presidential flag is analogous to a standard.

Historical flags of the USA

Flag of the Atlantic Colony of Britain in 1775

John Paul and his pirate flag

In 1773 he became captain in the West Indies. During this period he accumulated fixed capital.

In 1776, he began piracy off the coast of Britain. In 1779 he attacked the city of Liverpool. Since 1788 he has served in the navy Russian Empire. In the same year he took part in Russian-Turkish war, leading the squadron. In 1792 he was appointed US consul in Algeria. In the same year he unexpectedly dies. John Paul is buried in the USA.

The first flag of the United States is considered to be the Continental Flag, raised on December 2, 1775 by Lieutenant John Paul Jones on the ship Alfred in Philadelphia Harbor.

The flag for "Alfred" was made by Margaret Manny. The cloth consisted of 13 red and white equal-sized horizontal stripes with 13 white eight-pointed stars on a blue background.

US flags 1777

In 1777, the United States was marked by such an event as the Second Continental Congress. The de facto Second Continental Congress became the national government during the American Revolutionary War. The USA includes the following states: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Delaware. The United States used three types of flags during this period, the most famous of which was the Betsy Ross flag.

Historians still have not agreed on the authorship of the US flag. There is a legend according to which the first flag of the state was made by Betsy Rossi. Currently, her image is still popularized in the United States. She is an example of patriotism.

Exist alternative options US flag 1777:

These flags lasted 18 years.

The flag was adopted on May 1, 1795 and lasted 23 years. 2 stars were added to the flag, symbolizing the addition of two new states to the state: Vermont and Kentucky.

US flags 1818

During this period, the following states became part of the country: Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana.

During this period, the state of Illinois became part of the country.

During this period, the following states became part of the country: Alabama and Maine.

During this period, Missouri entered the state.

During this period, Arkansas entered the state.

US flags 1837

During this period, the state of Michigan entered the state.

During this period, the state of Florida entered the state.

During this period, the state of Texas entered the state.

During this period, the state of Iowa entered the state.

During this period, the state of Wisconsin entered the state.

In 1848, the number of stars on the flag reached 30.

During this period, the state of California entered the state.

During this period, the state of Minnesota entered the state.

US flags 1859

IN this period At the time, you could see 4 different flags.

During this period, Oregon entered the state.

US flag 1861

During this period, the state of Kansas entered the state.

During this period, the state of West Virginia entered the state.

US flags 1865

During this period, the state of Nevada entered the state.

US flags 1867

During this period, the state of Nebraska entered the state.

US flags 1877

During this period, the state of Colorado entered the state.

During this period, the state included the states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington.

During this period, the state of Wyoming entered the state.

US history is entertaining and interesting. In this article we will talk about the US flag: why it looks the way it does and not differently.

Today, the American flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes, is one of the most recognizable and replicated symbols in the world.

Americans are very proud of their national flag. The history of the American flag begins almost 250 years ago and is closely connected with administrative ones.

So what do we have on the US flag?

• 7 red and 6 white horizontal equal-sized alternating stripes;
• in the upper left corner on a blue rectangle half the width of the flag, 50 five-pointed white stars.

The US flag is notable for the fact that its blue color is much darker than the blue used in the flags of other countries. Officially, this shade of blue is called Navy Blue. This is understandable from a practical point of view: in the 18th century. There were no permanent dyes yet, and “normal” blue would quickly fade to a pale blue; the flag of a thick, dark blue color retained its properties for a long time. For the same reason, the red on the American flag is also darker than the red on other countries' flags, although not to the same extent.

US flag meaning

Thirteen stripes symbolize the 13 colonies that formed independent state(Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island). The blue roof (rectangle) symbolizes the Union. The number of stars in the blue roof corresponds to the number of states (currently there are 50). The color red represents endurance and valor; dark blue - diligence, justice, vigilance; white - innocence and purity.

The ratio of the flag's width to its length is 10:19.

The flag changed over time depending on the number of states that made up the Union. A new star is added to the flag on July 4th after a new state enters the union. The number of stripes remains unchanged.

How it all began?

At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1776, the United States did not yet have an official national flag.

Continental flag

The urgent need for a new American flag was associated with the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. A new symbol was needed. The first unofficial flag of the United States was the Continental Flag, which was an almost exact copy of the flag of the British East India Company. The only difference was in the number of stripes.

The new symbol of America was raised on December 2, 1775 by Lieutenant John Paul Jones on the ship Alfred in Philadelphia Harbor. From that point forward it was used by the Continental Forces as a naval and garrison ensign. Thus began the history of the US flag.

Later, on June 14, 1777, the National Flag Act retained the 13 red and white horizontal stripes and replaced the British flag with a blue rectangle depicting thirteen white five-pointed stars of equal size.

First official American flag

The resolution stated: “The flag of the thirteen United States consists of 13 alternating stripes of red and white and 13 white stars on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” And George Washington explained the design in his own way: “We took the stars from heaven, red is the color of our homeland, the white stripes that divide it mean that we have separated from it; these white stripes will go down in history as a symbol of freedom.” June 14 is celebrated as Flag Day in the United States.

The flag has changed 26 times since it was first adopted by the 13 colonies. The version of the flag with 48 stars was used for the longest time - for 47 years, and only after July 4, 2007, the current 50-star flag broke this record. The last states to join the United States were Alaska and Hawaii. The 49th and 50th stars appeared on the flag in 1959 and 1960, respectively.

US Flag Code

The United States Flag Code is the rules for the handling and display of the United States flag.

• the US flag should never touch the ground (but the common legend that a US flag that touches the ground should be destroyed is just a legend);
• if the edges of the U.S. flag are worn, the flag must be restored or properly destroyed (usually by burning);
• The US flag displayed at night must be illuminated;
• It is prohibited to use the US flag for advertising, as well as to depict it on any disposable items;
• the U.S. flag may not be used as clothing, bedding, or drapery (except for coffin drapery at funerals);
• It is prohibited to bow the US flag as a sign of respect to any person;
• it is allowed to decorate the US flag with gold fringe;
• The canton of the US flag (the blue corner with the stars) should always be on top of the flag (except when making a distress signal);
• The US flag must always hang freely (for obvious reasons, an exception was made only for US flags planted by American astronauts on the Moon).

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