As our beautiful country – the United States of America – celebrates its 250th year today, July 4th. We decided to feature the history and meaning of the flag that symbolizes our union.
June 14, 1777, marks the date of the first official United States flag, approved by an act of Congress. Many forget that our nation is uniquely formed as a union of individual states, a point deeply debated and fought over among our original 13 colonies, all of which recognized the need for unity while also each cherishing their own unique character and governance.
Philadelphia flag maker Elizabeth Griscom (also known as Betsy Ross) is often credited with sewing the first official U.S. Flag in June 1776, initiated by George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross. Although collaborated by Betsy’s grandson and one of her daughters, some claim that Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, was involved. Either way, June 14 is the date that our national flag was approved by Congress.
Created as a symbol of our young nation’s intensely debated and agreed-upon enduring principles of freedom, unity and self-governance, the colors of red, white and blue were purposefully chosen.
Each state has a white star sewn into a deep blue background, representing vigilance, perseverance and justice. The 13 stripes— representing our nation’s founding 13 colonies—add the color red for valor, and white for purity and innocence. 
It is flown over U.S. Government institutions such as U.S. Post Offices, and most prominently throughout the country during Memorial and Veterans Days, times of national crisis and mourning, as a rallying cry during national celebrations, as a symbol of unity during such tragedies as 9/11 (2001), on the battle field, on June 14 (Flag Day, remember?), and of course on July 4th, which this year officially celebrates our United States of America’s 250th Birthday!
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS:
THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER
In 1814, Fort McHenry was bombarded and with its fall, a young lawyer—Francis Scott Key—witnessed the attack from a nearby truce ship. Although there was great despair over this defeat, Despite the feeling of despair by all on board, Key suddenly noticed the American Flag was still intact at the Fort. So overcome by this symbol of hope, he penned what became our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner.
PLAYING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER BEFORE THE WORLD SERIES
Although written more than 100 years before the World Series of 1918, a band played the Star-Spangled Banner during the seventh inning of game one. The crowd, standing with their hands over their hearts, sang in unison. Thus began a tradition held to this day.
U.S FLAG RAISED ON IWO JIMA
The bloodshed of World War II left an imprint in the hearts of those at home and abroad, but in 1945, before the end of the war the capture of Iwo Jima is one of the most recognized events in the World War II timeline. Two Flags were raised and waved proudly at the top of Mount Suribachi. The infamous photograph inspired the Iwo Jima Monument in Washington D.C.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S “I HAVE A DREAM” SPEECH
On August 28, 1963, the American flag waved boldly to the right of Martin Luther King, Jr. as he stood at the Lincoln Monument, delivering his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to more than 250,000 civil 
rights supporters gathered there.
RICK MONDAY MAKES THE BEST CATCH OF HIS LIFE
In the midst of the 1976 final game of the LA Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs early-series at Dodger Stadium, two men ran onto the field attempting to burn the American flag. Cubs player Rick Monday ran towards the men, rescued the Flag from the men’s grasp and carried it to safety. Later, when asked, Monday underscored a duty to respect the symbol of his country and the people who fought to keep it free.
RAISING THE FLAG AT GROUND ZERO
September 11, 2001, was a time of shock and mourning in the United States when the World Trade Centers fell after a terrorist attack and two other planes crashed in the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. Just hours after the second World Trade Center collapsed, a Flag found in the rubble was raised at Ground Zero by three firefighters. The act was captured by Thomas Franklin and remains one of the most prominent photographs in American history.
Learn more: NationalFlagFoundation.org
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This article first appeared in the Contra Costa Marketplace magazine and reposted here with permission.
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