The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1918-01-04
THE FLAG
lBy DR.. Frank Crane.l

Here is a test of what you know
about the flag of your country. Every
boy and girl ought to be able to an
swer these questions.
Question-What is the flag of the
United States Of America?
Answer-Thirteen horizontal stripes
alternating red and white, having in
the upper left hand corner blue field
stars.
Q-What do the thirteen stripes rep
resent?
A-The thirteen original states.
Q-What do the forty-eight stars
represent?
A-The forty-eight states now in
the Union.
Q-When did congress pass the res
olution authorizing the making of the
flag?
A-June IA, 1777.
Q-What is the story of the making
of the first flag?
A-Congress in response from Gen.
George Washington, appointed com
mittee to design flag (which would
enable American vessels to recognize
each other" The committee called en-
Mrs. Betsy Ross, an expert needle NO
man, who conducted the upholstering
business at her home, 239 Arch street,
Philadelphia, and requested her to
make the flag from a design they
showed her. She suggested to Wash-
ington, who was a member Of the
committee, that he redraw it, which
he did. She also suggested that the
stars be five-pointed. From this de-
sign, as redrawn, she made the first
Star Spangled Banner.
Q-When was the flag first carried
in battle?
A-The first record we have of this
is September IL, 1777, at Brandywine.
Q-When did the flag contain fifteen
stripes and fifteen stars?
A-When Vermont and Kentucky
were admitted to the Union in 17o4.
Congress decreed that after May
1876, there should be fifteen STRIPES
and fifteen stars.
Q-When was the present form Of
the flag prescribed?
A-On April /, 1918, congress lie.
creed that there should be thirteen
stripes and that the Union should b. a
blue field containing as many stars
as there are states in the Union,
star being added for each new state,
on the Fourth of July following It's
admission to the Union.
Q-How many stars are there now
and how are they arranged?
A-Forty-eight; six rows of eight
stars each, with the corresponding
stars Of each row in vertical line.
GLOW many stars were there on
the flag in the war Of the Revolution
A-Thirteen.
Q-In the war of 1912?
A--Fifteen.
Q-In the war Of 1872?
A-Fifteen.
Q-In the civil war?
A-Thirty-fve.
Q-ln the Spanish war?
A-Forty-fiye.
Q-Now?
A--Forty EIGHT.
Q-What is the rule in regard to
raising the flag?
Alt should not be hoisted beft re
sunrise, and it should be lowered 1T
sunset. When the country is at vi /,
however, the flag may be kept flyi g
all night, although army posts do | lt
fly the flag at night except when a.
battle is in progress.
Q-When is the flag flown at half
staff?
A-As sign Of mourning. II
should first be raised to the top of the
staff and then lowered. At the con-
clusion of the funeral the flag should
be raised to full staff.
Q-What is the proper position Of
the flag?
A-When displayed with the stripes
running horizontally the blue field
should be in the upper left hand cor
ner; if it is hung with the stripes run
ming up and down the blue field should
be, to a person facing the flag, in the
upper right hand corner.
Q-How should the flag be draped
upon a casket?
A-With the blue field at the head.
Q-What is the proper thing to do
when the flag is passed in parade?
A-The spectator should halt, if
walking, or rise if sitting, stand at
attention, and uncover.
Q-What is the age of our flag
compared with those of other nations /?
At is older than the present I'm
ion Jack, the French Tricolor, the flag
of Spain or the flags of Germany or