American Flag

The American flag, often referred to as the "Stars and Stripes," is a symbol of the United States of America and its ideals. It consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, which represent the original Thirteen Colonies, and a blue rectangle in the top left corner (canton) with fifty white, five-pointed stars representing the fifty states of the Union.

History of the American Flag

The first official flag of the United States was adopted on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress. Since then, the flag has gone through several design changes as new states were admitted to the Union, resulting in the current 50-star flag.

Symbolism of the American Flag

• The stars represent the fifty states of the Union.
• The thirteen stripes represent the original Thirteen Colonies.
• The colors have symbolic meanings: red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Flag Etiquette

There are specific guidelines for displaying and handling the American flag, known as flag etiquette. This includes rules for how to hoist and lower the flag, how to position it when displayed with other flags, and how to properly fold the flag.

Study Guide Questions

1. When was the first official American flag adopted?
2. What do the stars on the American flag represent?
3. What do the colors of the American flag symbolize?
4. What are some guidelines for displaying and handling the American flag?