HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

[flo]

[frawin]

That is really neat FLO, makes one really proud to be an American and what the Flags stands for. I bet my Brother Dwight has his Flags flying today. Thanks
Frank

[momof 2boys]

I ]love the 4th of July!!! It gives me chills to know that I belong the greatest nation, The United States of America!!! Happy Birthday USA!!!

[Diane Amberg]

Raise your hand if you have a flag out today. Now take that hand, put it over your heart and be thankful that we live here.

[W. Gray]

I am sure that we will all agree we can say that regardless of whether Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have been, or John McCain or Barack Obama will be, president.

[sixdogsmom]

Yes! Yes! and YES!! Happy Birthday America! Thanks Flo for the neat graphic!

[dnalexander]

Mine is up and I participated in putting one up at the Water District Office next to my home. We are lucky aren't we?

David

[Warph]

That is a very beautiful Flag, Flo.... you did good!!!  And yes, David, we are very lucky to be able to live under this beautiful Flag.

Happy Birthday, America!

"History of the American Flag"

For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity. It's been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. And it has been a prominent icon in our national history. Here are the highlights of its unique past.

On January 1, 1776, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington's control. On that New Year's Day the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).

In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.

On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "Resolved, 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."

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state, signed by President Monroe.

Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

[dnalexander]

Thanks HPRAW, I hope everyone has a great "Fourth". Just getting ready to take the 25 people here for my Fourth of July party up in my neighbor's  DC-3 to circle the San Francisco Bay and take in all the fireworks displays. One of the benefits of living in the city.

David

[Catwoman]

Happy 4th of July to all of my Forum Family!!!!! :-)