The American flag was first used and sited over two hundred years. The first 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 with the British Army in Boston. It had thirteen 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 beraised as the American Flag. Several months latert in May, Betsy Ross claimed to have sewn the first US flag of many American flags to come.

The new nation wanted a different flag to be flown other than the one Washington had flown so they came up with a different design. That one had thirteen alternating red and white stripes with thirteen white stars on a blue background in the corner. This was to represent a new constellation. The amount of stars changed from this time in 1777 all the way up to 1960 when they would add on a star for each new state. The way the different stars were formed as it continued to change was a bit different, obviously each time. The colors in the American Flag have always been red, white and blue. Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor. White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and the blue background symbolizes Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

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

The flag of the United States can be seen in almost every person’s home or belongings in this country. Many people fly a traditional sized flag outside their house or apartments while even more probably have a miniature sized version of one on a stick. Several of these smaller flags are used at parades and various holidays in our country. Some 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 onso many different items you can think of. Many people have 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 blankets. Most Americans wear something with a flag or just the red, white and blue colors on these holidays, particularly on Independence Day.

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 all of it and more that represents the American flag at specialty stores or online sites. Many Americans their country and enjoy expressing that pride by having an American flag and other items that remind them of the United States of America.