The American flag has been around for over two hundred years. The original flag to be used by Washington was on January 1st, 1776 when he ordered the Grand Union flag to be above his residence on Prospect Hill during the siege over the British Army in Boston. It had 13 red and white stripes that alternated with the British Union Jack in the upper left hand corner. This was the start of many US flags to behoisted as the American Flag. Several months latert in May, Betsy Ross decided to sew the first American flag of many American flags to come.

The new nation wanted a different flag to be flown other than the British oneWashington had flown so they created a different design. The new flag had 13 alternating red and white stripes with 13 white stars on a blue background in the corner. The stars represented a new constellation. The amount of stars changed from that period in 1777 all the way up to 1960 when a new star was added for each new state. The the different formation of stars as it continued to change was a bit different, obviously every time. The colors in the United States Flag have always been red, white and blue. The Red Stripes symbolizes Hardiness and Valor. The white stripes and stars symbolizes Purity and Innocence and blue symbolizes Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

Presently our flag has 13 stripes representing the original thirteen colonies with seven red stripes and six white. It has fifty stars each representing a state on the blue background in the upper left hand corner.

The American Flag can be seen in just about every citizens residence or belongings in this country. Many people hoist a traditional sized flag outside their homes while even more probably have a miniature sized version of one on a stick. Several of these smaller flags are used for holiday celebrations and parades in our country. Such holidays where US flags are hoisted or waved are on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, 4th of July, Labor Day and Flag Day. The most popular holiday whereimages of the United States flag is seen is on the 4th of July. The flag is onanything and everything you can think of. Many people wear it on their clothing like sweaters, shirts, hats and even swim suits. Home decorations even sport the flag on them like chairs, flower pots, frames, towels and throws. A majority of people wear something with a flag or just the red, white and blue colors on these holidays, especially on the 4th of July.

Many people that throw parties onthe 4th of July or participate in a parade shop for their red, white and blue and flag motif supplies. You can find everything under the sun that represents the American flag at specialty stores or online sites. Many are very proud of their country and enjoy expressing that pride by having an American flag and other items that remind them of the United States of America.