The Afro-American advance., 1900-06-30
THE STARS AND STRIPES.
origin of the Flag of the United
states-5Iakcr of the Firat
Z"OId Glory"

On June Il, 1777, the continental
congress in session in independence
hall Philadelphia, passed a resolution
declaring that the flag of the United
States be - stripes, alternating red
and white; that the union be - stars
white in blue field, representing a
new constellation. The origin of tina
stars is uncertain II Is said by some
| to have been due TO three stars in
Washington's coat-of-arms More
probably ii arose from some patriotic
speech or poem Of the time, in which
appeared the very natural comparison
of the rising states with the stars OF
a new constellation.
The story OF Betsy Ross has been
often told, yet, says the Chicago
Standard. IL deserves to be remcm-
bered, rs one of the great services
rendered by women 10 the cause of
liberty. The story goes-and it is
probably authentic in its main fea-
tures-that shortly after the passage
Of the resolution by congress com
mittee, appointed to attend to the
manufacture Of flags after the pat
tern adopted sought the humble
abode of Mrs. John Ross, Familiarity
known as Betsy" for that purpose.
The house is still standing In Arch
street, Philadelphia. Mrs. Ross was
flag maker to the government; and as
many important things were done, in
those days, IN lOw-ceiled rooms, with
rag carpets and humble furniture, the
committee, accompanied by Gen.
Washington, probably felt no lessen
ing of their dignity in this visit. They
explained 20 BETSY" he new design,
which she readily comprehended, and
then left her to her great task Did
Betsy know how great a thing she
was making as she stitched the
stripes and stars of bunting in their
place. Was il just an ordinary job
! of sewing, or did she have prophetic
glimpse of far distant scenes of tri.
umph where that flag and others like
IL were to float? Nobody knows. But
the flag was soon made, and was hoist
ed on the flagstaff above old Indc-
pendence hall. Our national fortunes
were made. We had flag.
The flag with the % stripes and TIE
~ white stars in a circle on blue
field was carried all though the war
| and for years aftprward. When states
began to be added 10 the union how.
ever, the numner ~ became less ap.
propriate. II was felt that the new
states might regard themselves as
slighted IL they had no recognition
in the national colors. So in l105 two
new stars and stripes were added. for
the new states of Vermont and Ken.
tucky; and in following years the
| same process was continued as the
nation grew, until in 1918 ,he flag
had become somewhat distorted. Ii
had 90 stripes as well as 20 stars: and
It's shape was therefore less graceful
Congress decided. therefore. by reso-
luton approved by President Monroe
April 4. 1915, that the stripes should
be reduced To the original 10. while
the stars should be increased in mum
her from time To time as new states
We're added. This arrangement was
suggested by Capt. Samuel G.. Reid
veteran OF the war of 1872 This
flag was first displayed on the capitol
at Washington April 10, 1918, The
plan has been unchanged since that
time. hut stars have been rapidly
added. until the number is now 45
After the admission of new state,
the addition of the star Is made on
the following Fourth of July; that is,
1t is on that day that all the army
posts, the government vessels and the
public buildings all over the country
first hoist the new flag.