OUR FLAG – The Stars and Stripes
The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777.
The resolution read: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen strips, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing the constellation.”
The resolution gave no instructions as to how many points the stars should have, nor how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. Consequently, some flags had stars scatters on the blue field without any specific design, some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle. The first Navy Stars and Stripes had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternative rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other Stars and Strips flags had stars arranged in alternative rows of four, five and four. Some stars had six points while others had eight.
Courtesy of OUR FLAG, Joint Committee on Printing, United States Congress
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 2007
The Flag Guys
In September of 1990 The Flag Guy’s received a very unique letter. Earl P. Williams, Jr., a lecturer and author on the U.S. flag sent us the story of Frances Hopkinson, resident of Bordentown, N.J., signer of the Declaration of Independence, and apparent true designer of the American flag.
The charming story which credits Betsy Ross as the creator of our national emblem was challenged in 1870, when it was first made public. However, we learned that it wasn’t until 1917 that Hopkinson’s biographer came across letters between Hopkinson and the Continental Congress which pointed to Hopkinson as the flag’s creator. These letters are in the National Archives today.
The pattern shown with 6 pointed stars is Earl’s approximation of the flag Hopkinson designed in 1777. Scholars will likely continue to debate the exact appearance of our first national flag for years to come. There is no original example of the very first flag still left. No one can claim with certainty to know the exact appearance of the first flag. Our flag shows Earl’s concept of the design based on his study.
Courtesy of The Flag Guys at https://www.flagguys.com/hop.html
The Grand Union Flag
Betsy Ross Flag (considered the first flag of America)
Francis Hopkins claims to be the first flag design (no surviving examples)
Centennial Celebration “1776-1876” American Flag Banner
United States Flag since 1960
