The History of America’s ‘Old Glory’

By JIM PURCELL

The American Flag means different things to different people. But, the history of Old Glory is that it has been the unifying symbol of all of those who call themselves ‘Americans’ in the United States since June 14, 1777. It was then that the Continental Congress adopted an act establishing the official flag for this new nation, which was still fighting for its independence during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

The American Flag Today

   Though Congress officially recognized an “American Flag” in 1777, that does not mean it was the first one that Americans used to represent their new country.

Well before Congress finally decided upon a flag, Americans were fighting a daunting war with the British during the Revolution. And, in those days of warfare, flags of nations were not decoration. They were standards that soldiers, sailors and civilians rallied around. Many Americans came up with their own flags before Congress decided upon one. However, that made things confusing for soldiers and sailors especially, who could possibly get confused by some of the many standards being flown on ships at sea or on battlefields across the 13 colonies.

IN THE BEGINNING…

   One of the earliest American Flags was a standard with a white field, a green liberty tree and the phrase “Appeal to Heaven” running along the top of the flag. American ship in New England waters flew this standard as early as 1775.  

U.S. Continental Navy ships flew this flag in 1775

   In 1775, the fledgling Continental Navy flew a flag of warning, which boldly featured a snake on a field of white and red stripes, with the phrase “Don’t Tread On Me” on it. Meanwhile, the famed Sons of Liberty, in Massachusetts, flew their own flag, which featured a flag comprised of red and white stripes, also during 1775.

   Many variations of these flags were flown, representing this new idea of America, until it was officially designated by the Congress. And, many of these prototype American Flags featured combinations of aspects incorporated into other American Flags. One version, called “The Grand Union Flag, which was part of the Continental Colors of the Army in 1776, even incorporated Great Britain’s Union Jack into its field where, normally, stars would reside in a blue field.

The 'Betsy Ross' Flag established in 1776

   The story of how the first Congressionally recognized American Flag was created is not well-documented. The winning design did turn out to be the “Betsy Ross” Flag, originally created in 1776.

   It is widely believed that Philadelphia, Pennsylvania resident Betsy Ross createdAmerica’s first standard. One account has the idea of the flag coming from General of the Continental Army George Washington. 

   Meanwhile, another origin of the American Flag, while still noting the contributions of Betsy Ross, credited the original idea to New Jersey Continental Congress Representative Francis Hopkinson. 

CHANGES TO THE FLAG

   Whenever I pass the American Flag, whether it is at home or somewhere in public, I don’t think about how the flag has changed over the years, or how the idea of what the flag is has changed since 1777.

The Guilford Flag from North Carolina

   There have been exceptions to the rule when it came to officially sanctioned flags. During 1779, Scottish-born Continental Navy Captain John Paul Jones raised what he called the “Serapis Flag” on the captured-British frigate Serapis. 

   There was also the Guilford Courthouse Flag, which was raised by the North Carolina militia in March 1781 in Greensboro. 

   After the Revolutionary War’s end, with the addition of Vermont and Kentucky, a 15-star flag was authorized by Congress. Later, in 1803, the U.S. even recognized an “Indian Peace Flag.”

    During September 1804, two things happened of importance to the United States. The first was that composer Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the second was that the Easton Flag was recognized by the U.S. Congress. Though it would not be until 1931 that Key’s ode to his nation was officially recognized, the Easton Flag was retired by 1818. 

   Beyond 1818, the U.S. Flag largely remained in the style of the traditional Betsy Ross Flag. Afterward, the flag would change with the addition of more states. By 1865, at the conclusion of the American Civil War, the U.S. Flag sported 36 stars in its blue field, with each star recognizing a state.

The US Indian Peace Flag

   During World War I and II, there were 48 stars on the flag that flew over U.S. troops. And, following the admission of Hawaii as a U.S. state, the flag was altered its last time (so far) with the inclusion of its 50^th star.

THE MEANING OF THE FLAG

   There are any number of ways to view the American Flag. For me, it is far more than just a standard or a decorative national statement. The American Flag, inherently, represents the struggles and sacrifices of all those people through the course of this nation’s history, who contributed to the American cause.

   Certainly, the United States has not been a perfect union, as it had to faces the terrible reality of slavery, wars of injustice against Native Americans, and many things that prove America, as a nation, is not unblemished.

The Sepias Flag flown by U.S. Navy Capt. John Paul Jones

   However, the American system of government, though also not perfect, allows people to change their fates, albeit sometimes it takes a while. This is impossible in many nations across the globe. In America, someone can still have nothing one day and the next find their fortune. Governmental laws are sometimes challenges, for the better and worse. 

   Yet, in the final account, the United States remains the freest nation offering the most possibilities for those who were born here or who come here from other places.