The United States flag is a symbol which represents the country that we are today. The flag is a symbol of respect which holds true to many of the citizens who have fought for lived and died for the freedoms that we have today. These freedoms are not granted to any other countries in the world. Therefore, the importance and responsibility of keeping it properly folded and safe is a huge honor and should not be taken lightly. The folds in the flag each have a special meaning and are not to be rushed through as to forget what each of the meanings stand for.

The United States Flag has been a part of history since January 1, 1776. American history has set fourth a legend that Betsy Ross was the seamstress who sewed the first American flag. Betsy Ross knew George Washington and had done some repair seamstress work for him. Betsy Ross ran an upholstery shop that she took over when her husband had passed away. She often mended some of Washington’s clothing which how they became friends. Many people have different stories and legends of how the flag came about and why and if Ross was in fact the first person to sew the flag. There has never been any documentation that proved that Ross did create the flag however legend says that one day George Washington and two of his key figures sketched out the United States flag and asked Betsy Ross to sew it together and she did. No one knows for sure whether Betsy Ross designed the flag or if she did in fact change the original six stars to five. Many historians say that a man named Francis Hopkinson who was a lawyer was the real designer of the first flag. Hopkinson wrote a letter in 1780 to the board of admiralty which stated that he in fact did design the first flag and most say that he did; however there has never been any real proof so the story of Betsy Ross stands. What history does show is that The American flag has become a symbol for all to recognize; it symbolizes the meaning of being an American citizen and the freedoms we have today. There are three different colors on the flag which all have a meaning. First, the white on the flag symbolizes pure and innocent, second, the red on the flag symbolizes valor and hardiness, thirdly the blue on the flag symbolizes justice, perseverance and vigilance. Apparently, George Washington created the colors as follows: blue for the sky, white stripes for the secession from the home country and the red on the flag symbolized the colors of the British flag. However there were changes that did happen through the years to the American flag. In 1777 on June 14th the congress decided that the flag should have thirteen stars that were white lying inside the blue background and thirteen white and red stripes. The Blue in the flag was to represent our chief. The reason behind the thirteen stars was to represent the first thirteen states which were, Connecticut, Delaware, New jersey, Massachusetts, South and North Carolina, Rhode Island, Georgia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York and Maryland. The holder of the American flag carries large responsibilities due to the significance and meaning behind it. Since the time of creation of the American flag many changes occurred between the years of 1776 and 1960 however, regardless of the changes the flag has been and always will be an American symbol that holds true today in 2009. During 1795, Kentucky and Vermont were added to the United States which changed the flag yet again to have fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. In 1812 another war was fought. During this time “The Star Spangled Banner” was created by Francis Scott Key which soon became our National Anthem; however the Star Spangled banner was not officially declared the national anthem until the year of 1931. In 1818, five more states were added to the flag which included Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. And then yet another state in 1818 which was Illinois. By the year of 1820 Maine and Alabama were added which then made the flag consist of 23 stars. Many states soon followed suit first, in 1822 Missouri then Arkansas in 1836, Michigan in 1837 and eight long years later Florida came along. By this time it was the year of 1845 and the flag now represented 27 stars for all the new states. Texas came along in 1846, then Iowa in 1847 and lastly, Wisconsin in 1848 which totaled thirty states on the flag. In 1851 a star representing California came along and then Minnesota in 1858 which ended being around seven years between the two acquisitions. By the year of 1859 Oregon was declared a state and became another star on the American flag. Today the flag says a lot for the country that we are and the 50 stars now represent all 50 of the acquired states and the stripes represent the thirteen original colonies. The American flag is a symbol of our freedom and has been included in many of the wars that The United States fought to retain those freedoms, the dignity that we as Americans have. During times of tragedy the flag is flown to show that we are still standing, we have hope, and we are united and that we will survive these horrific times. Another part of the flag history is name that many people refer to the flag which is known as “Old Glory”. Many people call the flag “old Glory” but are not sure why. The reason behind the nick name came from a man named Captain William Driver who was a shipmaster who was leaving from Salem, Massachusetts on a ship voyage in 1831. Driver’s friends knew of his journey and presented him with a flag which held 24 stars at the time. As the flag opened he said, “Old Glory”. Driver kept the flag for many years and kept it protected from the Civil war. The flag was later flown over the Capital in Tennessee and the words “Old Glory”’ soon became the nickname for the flag.

In conclusion, the American flag holds special meaning and should have special care and respect when entrusted upon certain people. Therefore, in flag detail we shall pay more attention to the proper presenting, handling and folding of the flags.