Read This History Of The American Flag, Then Go Put One In Your Yard
On this Flag Day, the 244th anniversary of the Continental Congress's adoption of the Stars and Stripes, take a moment to reflect on both the well-cherished and little-known history of Old Glory.
Elle Reynolds
By Elle Reynolds
June 14, 2021
Unlike the New York Times staffer who told MSNBC it was “disturbing” to see dozens of American flags flying last weekend, I loved seeing so many storefronts and houses decked out in flags and red, white, and blue bunting over Memorial Day. All year, I’ve noticed more flags than usual and wondered how many were silent acts of defiant patriotism in the face of so much homegrown anti-American animosity.
On this Flag Day, the 244th anniversary of the Continental Congress’s adoption of the Stars and Stripes, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on both the well-cherished and little-known history of Old Glory.
Before the Stars and Stripes, American naval forces and George Washington’s Continental Army flew the “Continental Colors,” which displayed the British Union Jack in the top left corner instead of the familiar constellation of stars on a blue background. Also known as the “Grand Union Flag,” its first recorded use was in December 1775 by naval officer John Paul Jones.
Jones would later be renowned for responding “I have not yet begun to fight!” to a query from the British ship Serapis asking him to surrender his heavily damaged ship after a naval battle, and capturing the Serapis and her escort the Countess of Scarborough three hours after his iconic quip.
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https://thefederalist.com/2021/06/14/read-the-history-of-the-american-flag-then-go-put-one-in-your-yard/
