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LateNight · 06-14-2007, 06:54 PM

1777 : Continental Congress chooses national flag

On this day in 1777, during the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that "the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white" and that "the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
The national flag, which became known as the "stars and stripes," was based on the "Grand Union" flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new canton for the flag, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.
With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states.
On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the American flag. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance.

also on this day...

1775

The United States Army was founded.
1777

The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the U.S.
1922

Warren Harding became the first president to be heard on the radio.
1940

German troops entered Paris. The Nazis opened the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.
1951

The first commercial computer, Univac I, was unveiled.
1954

President Eisenhower signed the order inserting the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance.
1982

Argentine forces surrendered to British troops on the Falkland Islands.

06-14-2007, 06:54 PM	#2
LateNight SBLive! Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,609 Rep Power: 268	1777 : Continental Congress chooses national flag On this day in 1777, during the American Revolution, the Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that "the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white" and that "the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The national flag, which became known as the "stars and stripes," was based on the "Grand Union" flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new canton for the flag, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request of General George Washington. Historians have been unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend. With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that only stars be added to represent new states. On June 14, 1877, the first Flag Day observance was held on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the American flag. As instructed by Congress, the U.S. flag was flown from all public buildings across the country. In the years after the first Flag Day, several states continued to observe the anniversary, and in 1949 Congress officially designated June 14 as Flag Day, a national day of observance. also on this day... 1775 The United States Army was founded. 1777 The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the U.S. 1922 Warren Harding became the first president to be heard on the radio. 1940 German troops entered Paris. The Nazis opened the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. 1951 The first commercial computer, Univac I, was unveiled. 1954 President Eisenhower signed the order inserting the words "under God" into the Pledge of Allegiance. 1982 Argentine forces surrendered to British troops on the Falkland Islands. Last edited by LateNight; 06-14-2007 at 07:04 PM.