Freeport NY R&R Junior Club - U.S. Flag Tips

Freeport NY R&R Junior Club Logo U.S. FLAG TIPS

Moments in History
	June 14, 1777 The Continental Congress adopts a 13-star, 13-stripe national flag.	January 13,1794 Congress adds two stars and two stripes to the flag after Vermont & Kentucky join union.		September 13-14, 1814 Francis Scott Key writes the "Star-Spangled Banner" as he sees the flag flying over Ft. McHenry in Baltimore Harbor after a British bombardment.	1818 Congress returns the 13 original stripes to the flag and decides to add a new star for each new state accepted into the union.
1892 The "Pledge of Allegiance" appears in the Youth's Companion magazine.	1942 Congress establishes a code of how the American flag should be handled and displayed.	February 23, 1945 The American flag is rasied over Iwo Jima after the U.S. captures thee island during WWII.		1949 Congress establishes June 14 as Flag Day.	July 4, 1960 The 50th star is added a year after Hawaii becomes the 50th state.
Our American Flag				Customs for Display
The origins of the Stars and Stripes have become part of the American folklore. It is widely believed that Betsy Ross made the first American flag. However, various towns in colonial America have claimed to be the birthplace of the Stars and Stripes. We know that on June 14, 1777, the Continemtal Congress abopted the Stars and Stripes as the offical flag for the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence made this resolution necessary. Previously, each conlony had their own flag, which they flew on conlonial vessels. England considered these armed vessels pirate ships and hanged their crews when they were captured. The American flag was designed to represent the new union of the thirteen original states: it would have thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, and thirteen white stars on a blue field. One of the first flags had the stars arranged in a circle, based on the idea that all conlonies were equal. The thirteen stripes, resting side by side, represented the struggle for independence; red stood for valor, white signified purity and blue represented loyalty. In 1818, after a few design changes, the U.S. Congress decided to retain the flag's original thirteen stripes and added new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union. Since then, Americans have fought for and died to preserve the ideals of democracy represented by the flag.				Display the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or flagstaffs and, at night, only if properly lighted The flag should be raised and lowered by hand and never raised furled. Always hoist the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously. The flay may be displayed on any day, but especially on national holidays. On memorial Day, display the flag at half-mast until noon only; then hoist it to the top of the staff. When carried, the flag should be held aloft, never flat or horizontal. Salute the flag when it passes by in a parade, during the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem and in a ceremony or lowering it. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor, nor brush against any objects, nor be used as drapery of any sort. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger. When a flag is no longer in a condition to be diplayed, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

RESPECT IT.

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Freeport Junior Program
www.FreeportJuniorClub.org
Juniors@freeportjuniorclub.org
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