Evening star., 1943-06-13
History Of
Old Glory
BIZ Frederic J. Hnskin.

been an annual event in the United
States for many years, but recognition OF
the occasion this year probably will
mean more than ever before Moreover,
1t is an occasion when every American
should review the history of the Ma
tion's emblem of freedom.
At the time when an earlier war was
desolating Europe, President Wilson
urged the establishment of June IA as
Flag Day, "a day upon which we should
direct our minds with special desire of
renewal to thoughts of the ideals and
principles Of which We have sought to
make our great Government the en-
bodiment."
On June IA, 1777, the young American
Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, re-
solved that "the flag Of the 13 States be
13 stripes alternate red and white; that
the union be 13 stars, white on blue
field, representing new constellation"
This resolution put the seal Of approval
on the flag reputedly made by Mrs. Eliza
beth Ross, widow of John Ross, in her
little shop which is now historical
landmark in that city.
pointed a committee to consider the
matter of flag and that Gen. Washing
ton a member of this committee, with
Robert Morris and Col. Ross, took a
rough sketch of the proposed design to
Betsy Ross who created the emblem
cherished then by some 900 people
and now by 135,000 900. Its symbolism is
| just as significant in an era of power
and prosperity as in time of struggle,
although the design has been altered
specifically several times
There was no lack of banners for the
| colonists when they made battle against
the King but rather an embarrassing
number of them. No general, however
| tactful, could decide without stepping
| on some toes whether the Pine Tree
which made AN Appeal to Heaven" or
the Rattler which warned Don't Tread
on Me" should lead his forces. The
| Grand Union, or Cambridge flag, flown
by Washington in 1776 possessed Federal
significance, but because of certain Brit
ish characteristics was later considered
unsuitable. Then it was that the COM
mittee got to work.
With many popular banners in use it
| was probably not so simple to decide
| that the stripes and the stars should
| signify the States, the latter not free
| bodies, but "constellation." 1t has been
claimed that the colors stand for courage,
| liberty and loyalty, but the definition by
the young Congress can be found in its
description of the United States seal,
oF
White signifies purity and innocence;
red, hardness and valor, and blue, Wgi-
lance, perseverance and justice.
Although one Of the first countries to
| possess a national flag-Denmark and
Japan sharing that distinction-there
has been little or no Federal regulation
of its use or of its care. Officially known
as the flag of the United States, its leg
islative history has been important, but
brief.
There have been three Federal acts
and an executive order describing it, the
! original description in 1777, and the
others made necessary by changing con-
ditions. Nearly 18 years after it's adop-
ton, in order to honor and recognize two
new States, Vermont and Kentucky, Con-
| gress decreed that two stars and two
stripes be added, making Is in all
| BY 1918 five more States had been
| admitted to the Union. Then, in order
| to give them representation on the flag
it was enacted that for each new State
star should be added and the number
of stripes be reduced to the original 13.
1t was further provided that stars for
new States should be added the Fourth
of July following their admission. An
executive order by President Taft in
1912 established proportions of the flag
and decreed that the stars be placed in
six rows of eight stars each.
An act of Congress of 1905 prohibits
the registration of trade mark bearing
"the flag, coat of arms or other insignia
of the United States or any stimulation
thereof" Mothers Day was given ma
tlonal significance when Congress au-
thorized in 1914 the display of the flag
on that occasion.
Just before the entrance Of the United
States into the First World War, in 1917.
it was enacted that desecration, mutila-
ton or improper use of the flag in the
| olotllCG VI SOlulllOld WOUlo lllNo1NC CCl"
tain penalties. A little over year later
Congress provided for the dismissal of
Federal employees or officials who criti-
cized in an abusive or violent manner
the flag of their country.
Until the National Flag Conference in
1923, there was no established code of
flag etiquette except that which particu-
larly pertained to the Army, Navy and
Marine Corps President Harding told
the conference that: Everything we do
to bring the flag into proper considera-
ton by the citizenship of the Republic
is entirely commendable and deserves to
be cordially indorsed" Later President
Coolidge urged that fires of patriotism
be kept burning and that our national
ideals and traditions be emphasized and
| kept before our people
There are certain accepted rules gov
erning the use of the American flag that
should be observed One cue is found in
the appreciation of the fact that it is a
| symbol of the United States and not
form of decoration. For this purpose red.
white and blue bunting adds patriotic
| gala note.
The flag should always be displayed
from staff or hung fiat. 1t should never
be draped over speakers desk or an
| automobile. 1t should be flown only from
sunrise to sunset, or hours appointed by
proper authorities. 1t should be hoisted