The United States Flag is the third
oldest of the National Standards of
the world; older than the Union Jack
of Britain or the Tricolor of France.
The flag was first authorized by Congress
June 14, 1777. This date is now observed
as Flag Day throughout America.
It was first decreed that there should be
a star and a stripe for each state, making
thirteen of both; for the states at the time
had just been erected from the
original thirteen colonies.
The colors of the Flag may be thus explained:
The red is for valor, zeal and fervency;
the white for hope purity, cleanliness of life,
and rectitude of conduct; the blue, the color
of heaven, for reverence to God, loyalty,
sincerity, justice and truth.
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag.
When we view the flag, we think of liberty,
freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross.
The United States Flag is unique in the deep
and noble significance of its message to the
entire world, a message of national independence,
of individual liberty, of idealism, of patriotism.
The American flag flies on the moon, sits
atop Mount Everest, is hurtling out in space.
