American Flag

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act:  It states "that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The flag of the United States has gone through many changes as states have been added to the Union. At first, a stripe was added for every new state as well as a star (Imagine what our flag would look like if they had continued that idea!), but the basic design has stayed the same from the "Betsy Ross" flag with its circle of thirteen stars to our fifty-star flag of today. 

.  Betsy Ross Flag        . Current American Flag

Read the Key Vocabulary below to help you understand with these important symbols 

constellation - a group of stars that form a pattern

hardiness - the ability to do make it through hard things

valor- great courage in the face of danger 

purity -  clean, without spot or flaw 

innocence - free of guilt, pure, not involved in a crime .   

vigilance - looking out for danger, being careful

perseverance -  keep working even when it's hard

justice - fair treatment

Use the attached graphic organizer to show your understanding of the key vocabulary and the following symbols on the American Flag. Choose at least three symbols and in your own words, describe what these symbols represent based on what you know from your study of the Revolutionary War and the development of the constitution, and why they may have become important traditions in America. 

• The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies.
• The number of stars on the flag represent the number of states in the Union.
• The stars on a blue field represent the creation of a new constellation.
• Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor.
• White symbolizes Purity and Innocence.
• Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

Complete the American Flag Graphic Organizer