The significance of Flag Day in the United States has evolved profoundly since the time of Betsy Ross, the woman often credited with sewing the first national flag at the request of George Washington.
In her era, flags were practical items marking ships and guiding soldiers in chaotic battlefields, rather than symbols of national pride.
However, the deep reverence for the U.S. flag as we see it today mostly took root during the Civil War.
During this conflict, the need for soldiers to carry the flag into battle became a deeply revered honor, leading to acts of extraordinary bravery from those designated as flag bearers.
Flag Day itself, which is observed on June 14 through federal law established in 1949, was influenced by these events.
President Harry Truman, a World War I combat veteran, proclaimed that the U.S. flag is a beacon of freedom and protection from tyranny.
The transition from a military symbol to a cherished national emblem reflects a broader narrative of American identity.
Charles Spain, director of the Flag Research Center in Houston, noted that the physical nature of the flag allows it to resonate with individuals, leading to a sentiment akin to reverence seen in other countries for their monarchs or religion.
This day commemorates the moment in 1777 when the Continental Congress approved the design of what would become the U.S. flag—a significant act of defiance against British rule, invoking what they deemed a “new constellation.”
The flag’s design includes 13 alternating red and white stripes, representing the original states, and a blue field adorned with white stars.
According to the 1818 law, one star was mandated for each state, formalizing its current configuration.
Early observances of Flag Day began shortly after the Civil War, gaining national recognition through efforts, including a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916.
The first community celebration took place in Philadelphia in 1891, at a home once belonging to Betsy Ross, and has since developed into an extensive annual event known as Flag Fest.
The village of Waubeka, Wisconsin, also lays claim to an earlier Flag Day observance, initiated in 1885 by a local teacher, Bernard Cigrand.
Cigrand sparked a movement by placing a small flag on his desk and encouraging students to express their thoughts on its significance, advocating for a national holiday dedicated to the flag throughout his career.
Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House historical site in Philadelphia, pointed out that for Ross, the conversation with Washington would have been a crucial element in her story.
It is essential to note that prior to the Civil War, the U.S. flag did not hold the same level of esteem.
The exigencies of war made it vital for troops to keep flags aloft during confrontations, turning flag bearers into prime targets for the enemy, who could not shoot back but had to stand resolutely.
According to Ted Kaye, secretary for the North American association for flag scholars, known as vexillologists, both sides of the conflict glorified this role, casting flag bearers as morally virtuous elites.
Amongst the cavalry regiments, one Michigan unit’s flag displayed the motto, “Fear Not Death — Fear Dishonor,” solidifying this ideology.
This valorous culture surrounding battle flags, and by extension the national flag, took a strong hold on American sentiment during and after the Civil War.
Soldiers exhibited remarkable courage, often at the cost of their lives, to keep their flags flying proudly in battle, with many flag bearers dying in intense confrontations.
Matt VanAcker, who leads a long-standing preservation project at the Michigan Capitol, oversees a collection of approximately 240 old battle flags, which serve as tangible reminders of those who fought under them.
A display in the Capitol rotunda has showcased these flags, now replaced by replicas for preservation purposes, allowing the original banners to remain as physical evidence of their historical significance.
Many original flags bear marks of their usage in combat, described by VanAcker as often covered with bullet holes and blood stains—the stark reminders of their sacrifices on the battlefield.
image source from：https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/flag-day-betsy-ross/
