Reid Navy

If you're an American and grew up in schools in the United States, you have learned the lesson of how Betsy Ross stitched together the first flag U.S. in 1776. But how many recall exactly what the stripes, stars and the colors represent?

Believe it or not, the colors red, white and blue didnÂ't have meaning when the flag was adopted in 1777. The Continental Congress actually passed a resolution July 4, 1776, which authorized a committee to draft a seal for the United States of America. This committee was tasked to create a design that reflects the beliefs, the founding fathers' values and independence of the new nation. It wasnÂ't until the seal has been completed and approved on June 20, 1782 as the national colors and symbols on the American flag had a definite meaning. The explanation of the design Flaga's taken a book written by the House of Representatives, meanwhile, is as follows:

 * The White Stripes to designate the purity and innocence Red to represent hardiness and valor

* One Champ Blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice

* The Star - Â "Â ... a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial, stripe is symbolic of the rays of light from the sun. "

In 1777, the number of bands was mandated by Congress to settle to thirteen representing the thirteen original colonies, however, the drawings all over America still varied considerably. A hero War of 1812 naval officers named Samuel Chester Reid is now with New York Congressman Peter H. Wendover in 1818 and introduced a bill to establish uniform designing the American flag. Samuel Reid was the person who suggested that the star be added as new states were admitted in the Union. This bill was passed April 4, 1818.

Over the years there were twenty-seven versions of the flag. The current design dates on July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the United States of America on the 50th state.

You must fly your flag from sunrise to sunset especially on holiday and suggested any other state and local celebrations, but only if time permits:

New Year's Day, January 1 Inauguration * Day, January 20 * Martin Luther King Jr. 's Birthday, 3rd Monday in January * Lincoln's Birthday, February 12 * Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February Patriots Day * * Armed Forces Day, 3rd Sat in May * Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) Last Monday May Flag Day, June 14 * Independence Day, July 4 * Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Constitution Day, September 17 * Day Columbus, October 12 * Navy Day, October 27 * Veterans Day, November 11 * Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thurs in November.