The United States Flag | What does the American Flag Represent? – Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

Video Transcript

Representations: the American Flag

What do you think of when you see the flag of the United States of America? What feelings does it conjure? Does it bring to mind any specific memories? What does it mean to our country? The United States flag represents so much of what America means, and its symbolism runs deep in its history. This lesson offers specific symbolic aspects of the U.S. flag as well as factual points pertaining to the flag and its history.

Back in 1776, the original 13 colonies were ready to break free from England and govern themselves. A new flag served as a powerful symbol and meant freedom from the perceived tyranny of the English king. Much like the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution, a new flag solidified new beginnings for the colonies. While the formation of the stars has changed over the past 250 years, the meaning of the flag has stayed true to certain ideals designed for a citizen of a new nation: courage, valor, perseverance, justice, innocence, purity and bravery.

The Stars and Stripes

Without even looking at the flag, every American citizen should know that it’s comprised of stars and stripes. But what is the meaning behind these colors and shapes? The design and colors of the U.S. flag are not random and weren’t chosen simply to look pretty; all of the aspects of the flag hold important meaning.

First, let’s look at the stripes. The stripes were incredibly symbolic in both color and number. Additionally, the stripe design signified sun rays shining down; a strong image when considering the birth of a new nation. Red stripes were chosen to represent valor, courage and hardiness. White stripes represented innocence and purity, a new country just born and starting on its own. Even the number of stripes has meaning. The 13 stripes honor the original English colonies; those men and women who worked hard and sacrificed much to make it in the new world, the world becoming a new country.

Now, we can look at the stars. Just as constellations in the night sky will stand forever, the stars on the flag represented the idea of a constellation, the stars of the heavens. The stars on the flag represent the number of states in the union of states. The blue field on which the stars sit represents justice and perseverance.

A Symbol of Pride

Not only is the flag full of symbolism, it is itself a symbol. Olympic athletes wrap themselves in the flag when they have won gold. The flag flies high above the crowd during the medal ceremony honoring both the athlete and the athlete’s country.

What was left on the moon after man’s first visit there? Footsteps and a U.S. flag. The flag, in this instance, represented pride in our space program and told the story of the U.S. being the first to make it to the moon.

In a military funeral, a U.S. flag is properly draped over the coffin. The flag is then folded 13 times and handed to the surviving family. Pride in the country and the service the person gave for his or her country is clear.

Whenever the U.S. flag is flown with other flags (such as those of a company or corporation), the U.S. flag is flown higher than the others. This is a symbol of the nation ranking above all others belonging to it.

A Symbol of Dismay

Not only is the flag used as a symbol of pride, but it can also be used as a symbol of distress or dismay. In times of social unrest, some may protest by burning the flag. This is a symbolic action intended to express deep dissatisfaction with the government or other actions occurring in the country.

In times of national sadness, the flag is flown at half-staff (only half way up the flag pole). This is by order of the president and is for important government figures, tragedies or days, such as Memorial Day. This is a sign and symbol that the people are in mourning.

Finally, the flag can be used as a sign of surrender if flown upside down.

Some Flag Facts

All right, before we wrap up, let’s take a moment or two to look at some additional interesting flag facts:

• The flag is known as ”Old Glory.”
• The stars on the flag were not altered after the secession of the South, meaning the Southern states that seceded were never officially removed from the Union.
• Composed in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was not recognized by Congress until 1942. A year later, the Supreme Court decided that it was unconstitutional to force school children to salute the flag.
• Star configurations have changed over the years from circles to the lines we see today.
• It wasn’t until 1912 that the flag specifications were set in stone through an executive order signed on June 24th by President William Howard Taft.
• In 1949, President Truman established a procedure to celebrate Flag Day each year on June 14th.
• When a new state is added, its star is added to the flag on the next July 4th after the addition of the new state to the Union.

Lesson Summary

All right, let’s take a moment to review what we’ve learned. A far cry from just a simple piece of multi-colored fabric, the U.S. flag is a symbol of the American nation and its strengths and its weakness. The number of stripes points to our national birth from the 13 original English colonies. The stars make a lasting constellation out of each state. The colors themselves denote strength and power tempered with innocence and justice.

Through all of its changes from 1776 when it was first made to 1912 when President Taft made an executive order establishing the flag’s specifications, the U.S. flag has a history of change, adaptation, and standing for our nation, each and every one of us.