On September 3, 1777, a pivotal event marked the nascent identity of the United States: the American flag was flown in battle for the very first time during a Revolutionary War skirmish at Cooch’s Bridge in Delaware. This historic action was ordered by Patriot General William Maxwell, who commanded that the Stars and Stripes be raised as his infantry and cavalry confronted an advance guard of British and Hessian troops. Despite this show of spirit and pride, the day ended unfavorably for the American forces, who were ultimately defeated and forced to retreat towards General George Washington’s larger contingent near Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania. This battle foreshadowed not only the ongoing struggle for independence but also the deeply ingrained symbolism that the flag would come to represent.
The flag known today as the “Stars and Stripes” was inspired by the earlier “Grand Union” flag carried by the Continental Army in 1776, which featured 13 alternating red and white stripes. Charles Thompson, the secretary of the Continental Congress, articulated the meanings behind the flag’s colors in a report to delegates. He noted that white symbolized purity and innocence, red stood for hardiness and valor, while blue represented vigilance, perseverance, and justice. These colors and their meanings would resonate through American history, encapsulating the values that the nation aspired to uphold.
Different iterations of flags with 13 stripes were flown throughout 1776 and 1777, until Congress formally established the official design of the national flag on June 14, 1777. This date is now celebrated as Flag Day, largely influenced by the act that stated: “That the Flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” The designation of stars as symbols for the states would transform as the nation expanded, signifying unity while honoring its humble beginnings.
General George Washington famously articulated the symbolism of the flag, explaining, “We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.” This encapsulation of the flag’s design highlights the balance between honoring heritage and embracing independence, a notion that resonates with Americans to this day.
The inaugural observance of Flag Day took place on June 14, 1877, exactly one hundred years after the flag’s adoption. According to folklore, Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Philadelphia, was commissioned by Washington to design the flag’s canton. This tale—while rich in patriotic sentiment—has proven difficult for historians to verify conclusively.
Throughout American history, several pivotal acts have shaped the flag’s design. The Flag Resolution of 1777 laid the groundwork, followed by the Act of January 13, 1794, which allowed for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May of that year. However, this configuration evolved with the Act of April 4, 1818, reinstating the flag to 13 stripes while stipulating one star for each state, to be added on July 4 after a state’s admission. Subsequent executive orders by Presidents Taft and Eisenhower would further refine the arrangement of the stars, resulting in various designs used through the decades.
In 1949, Congress officially recognized June 14 as Flag Day, establishing it as a national day of observance. The significance of the flag has transcended its physical form; it is revered as a symbol of freedom and the ideals Americans uphold. The flag’s thirteen red and white stripes pay homage to the first thirteen colonies, while its fifty stars represent the current fifty states. Moreover, each color conveys depth: red for valor and bravery, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
In moments of mourning, the American flag is often flown at half-staff, a practice that can be ordered by the president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia. Such instances typically commemorate the deaths of notable figures in government, military service, or first responders, and they also occur during national tragedies or designated days of remembrance. The flag remains an enduring symbol reflecting the resilience and unity of the American spirit throughout its storied history.
