The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-06-14
THE AMERICAN FLAG.


 June IA Flag Day, has ever carried the deepest meaning to every true American. This year the day will carry tenold significance, the nation cele- brates the Two Hundred Anniversary of the Birth of George Washington For to General Washington, tradition credits leading part in the very design ing of the flag, and what he did to give it meaning is and will be known to every American as long as our country lives.
 On June IA 1777 Congress resolved That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white, that the Union be thir- teen stars white in a blue field representing new constellation"
 In these simple words, authority given to General Washington to design the flag and on the same day tradition has it that he went to the house of Betsy Ross on that visit which has become one of the finest pages of American folklore. With him, according to the account, went Robert Morris and George Ross one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the uncle of Betsy Ross's de- ceased husband.
 On entering her modest home in Arch Street, Philadelphia they are said to have found Mistress Ross busy at her needlework and humming tune softly, however, that she might hear the tinkle of the bell on the door of her shop at the front of the house-and George Washington thus simply stated his errand; @ ae
 Mistress Ross we have to ask you to help in making flag for country. We do not feel pleased with the grand union flag because of the Kings coors in the canton, have planned another"
 The grand union" flag referred to by Washing ton was the one he himself had designed and first flung to the breeze in January l, 1776 during his siege of Boston This at time when the Revoutionsts still felt they were fighting not the British King, but his Ministers; hence Washington's flag consisted of the thirteen alternate red and white stripes, but bore in its canton the kings crosses of St. George and St. Anthony By TIT the Revoutionists fighting solely for an American nation, and they wanted American flag
 Mrs. Ross, it is said, undertook the making of the flag eagerly, and with exalted of the unusual honor conferred upon her. Not only that, she suggested to Washington a slight correction in the design, which bore six pointed stars instead of the five-pointed type of heraldry. With a snip of her scissors she cut folded paper and held forth perfect five pointed star to show what she meant. For few minutes longer the design was discussed, and quickly nimble fingers could execute the task. Mrs. Ross had the flag in being
 So, in this homely fashion which well suits the American spirit. born the emblem by Wash ington, coming almost like direct gift from him, to fly ever since over the nation that he also de- signed. Today, every American is privileged to ponder the stupendous human events and influ- that have flowed from this simple incident at the house of Betsy Ross a century and half ago.
 When that flag was designed and made there not true Republic in existence Since then the principles set in motion by George Washington and his fellow patriots have extended themselves to the uttermost parts of the earth More than emblem of sovereignty the flag that Washington planned has been symbol of human freedom of equal opportunity and political liberty wherever mankind has sought and fought for these things
 Flags have flown for the vanity of kings Flags have been hated by millions of people as repre- senting nothing but conquest and oppression. Many of the crueltes prejudces injustices that have forced each other have been wrought under the sanction of similar emblem. The flag that will fly from thousands of masts today is the one given by George Washington, float as the first bright banner of unstained honor over people fol whom he prepared great destiny
 It drew the early patriots from comfortable homes from the security of their occupations ane from the love of their families, to fight for tht larger world which we inherit What to them wa far ideal is to us the great reality. No goot American will neglect to ask himself how well ht the courage, the spirit of sacrifice belong ing to those and who gave us thi priceless heritage, this returning anniversary o the day when their flag was born.
 Hardly had the American flag appeared wher it began to play an important part in our history It first flung in the face of the enemy les. than two months after its creation, at Fort Stanwix on August 3, TIT It first carried into battle by George Washingtons troops at the Battle of the Brandywine, September H. 1777 It first saluted by the British at the surrender of Burgoyne October IT. l777 On February IA. 1778. John Paul Jones took the first salute to the flag naval emblem when he sailed the Ranger" into Quiberon Bay France On April 24, the same year he forced the