Historian, professor, and podcaster Greg Jackson joins Tim to discuss the story of the United States flag, its history, its meaning and what it represents, and just why and how it stirs such strong emotions throughout society. Later in the episode we have a special feature you won’t want to miss.

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On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress established an official flag for the United States.

The official resolution stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

Since that time, it has been a banner used to rally troops in battle, show patriotic support in both war and peace time, and at times it has been at the center of controversy. It’s been draped over the caskets of presidents and fallen soldiers, some we know and some that are still unknown.

As the flag was raised on Iwo Jima and in the ruins of the World Trade Center, our hopes were raised with it.
In this episode, we tell the story of the American flag.
Birth – Betsy Ross
The origin of the first American flag is unknown. Some historians believe it was designed by New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross.

The Betsy Ross story was brought to public attention in 1870 by her grandson, William Canby, in a speech he made to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Canby and other members of Betsy's family signed sworn affidavits stating that they heard the story of the making of the first flag from Betsy herself.

Despite the absence of written records to prove the story, there are several reasons why historians believe it could be so: George Ross, a member of the Flag committee, was the uncle of Betsy's late husband, John. This could be one reason why Betsy was chosen to make the first flag. Since making the flag was an act of treason, it is significant that these men would know of her allegiance to the Revolutionary cause.
Symbolism and Meaning
The flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white.

The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

It wasn’t until the Third Flag Act of 1818 that the country decided to stick with 13 stripes—one for each colony—and a star for each state.
Coming of Age
“The Star-Spangled Banner” becomes the national anthem of the United States in 1931.

The anthem’s history began the morning of September 14, 1814, when an attorney and amateur poet named Francis Scott Key watched U.S. soldiers—who were under bombardment from British naval forces during the War of 1812—raise a large American flag over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.

A lawyer from Baltimore who practiced law in Washington, D.C., Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry from a ship anchored in Baltimore’s harbor.

Key was working to negotiate the release of an American civilian, Dr. William Beanes, who had been captured in an earlier battle. As a condition of the release, the British ordered the Americans not to return to shore during the attack on Baltimore.

Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” and its initial verse on the back side of a letter while watching the large American flag waving over the fort that morning.

When he got back to Baltimore, he worked on his piece until he had completed four verses, even though most of us only know one of them today.

A local printer printed the song, originally called “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” and two Baltimore newspapers printed it. After that, it spread quickly to various cities along the East Coast.

Books Referenced