This was the first American flag.
Over the years the flag altered ever so subtly. It sported fifteen stripes and fifteen stars at one point, then changed back to thirteen stripes with a star for every state that was at that time part of the United States as a whole. For a while the stars were arranged in six horizontal lines of eight, with the points of the stars pointing up. Now, the stars are arranged in in five horizontal rows with vertical rows of six in each row, and staggered below that are four horizontal rows with vertical rows of five stars in each row, to create a sum total of fifty.
The colours used for this star-spangled banner give deeper meaning to the flag as a whole, and impart a feeling of pride and honour. The red used in the seven red stripes symbolizes hardiness and valour. The white used for the alternating six white stripes and the fifty stars symbolizes purity and innocence. The rich, deep blue used for the stars' field symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Red for hardiness and valour, duty done with greatest honour,
White for clean, no stain to start: pure and innocent of heart.
Blue that to justice we'll adhere: vigilant to persevere.
On the field are fifty stars, flanked by thirteen shining bars.
Fifty stars for fifty states, bound by what the flag relates.
Flanking them, in red and white, thirteen stripes recall the fight.
Freedom won, declared today. May God bless the U.S.A.!
- The National Anthem, as sung by Josh Groban (who just happens to be my favourite singer EVER!!)
- God Bless America, as sung by Josh Groban (favourite singer, remember?) AND
- Proud to be an American, by Lee Greenwood (since I couldn't find Josh singing it. LOL)
(One last tidbit of information: The words of our National Anthem were first conceived on September 14th, 1814, when Francis Scott Keys observed the soldiers at Fort McHenry in Baltimore raise the flag to signify their victory over the British Force in the War of 1812.)
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!
The Declaration of Independence
History.com
History of the American Flag
US History
US Flag
Encyclopedia Smithsonian
Happy 4th of July, Cat!! And great job with the poem in the form of the flag. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf this is a sample of your blogs, it's wonderful. Thank you for this lovely tribute to our country.
ReplyDeleteHappy Fourth, Kelly! Thanks for the comment on my flag poem. Isn't it purty? I'm rather proud of it.
ReplyDeleteDM, aw, thanks! I haven't been blogging for awhile - my schedule sort of got out of whack - but I'm hoping to be more consistent in the following months. And, you're welcome. I'm pretty patriotic, as you might have noticed. LOL
Gorgeous tribute to our wonderful country and that flag poem is very nice. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
Thanks, Desert! Glad you liked the flag poem. God bless, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder about the history of our flag. I have been brought to tears several times today by tributes to the country I love and the Josh Groban video adds to the list. I enjoy visiting your blog!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, carol. I absolutely love the Josh Groban videos... that's why they're here! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marshmallo!
ReplyDelete