THE UNITED STATES FLAG. I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself*

Transcription

1 THE UNITED STATES FLAG I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself* A flag is a symbol, and usually each of the elements on a flag is meant to show the values and history of the group that the flag represents. The American flag is one of the more complicated national flag designs. It has a canton (first quarter), or union, with heraldic elements (the stars), and horizontal stripes, or bars. There have been more than twenty different U.S. flags, each with a different number of stars in the canton. The first official flag design had thirteen stars, representing the thirteen colonies that had united. These stars were the new Constellation that the United States would become. The canton has always been white stars on a blue field, but the number and order of the stars has changed over time, as the number of states has increased. Originally, the order of the stars was not officially specified, so many flags had different arrangements: some arranged the stars in a circle, some in rows. Every time a new state was added to the Union, a new flag design was needed. Some flags lasted for several years; others only lasted for one year. There have been fifty stars on the U.S. flag since The stars are arranged in five rows of six stars and four rows of five stars. The first official flag had thirteen stripes. There were some variations, but the current flag also has thirteen stripes, in homage to the first thirteen states. Despite the popular legend of Betsy Ross, in fact there is no first flag. The United States has had a flag since 1777, but as the first design was quite vague (it specified the numbers of stars and stripes, but not the arrangement), many flags from the first century in the United States were made in many different designs and proportions. The specific order of the stars, as well as the idea that one point of each star should point upward, and the proportions of the flag were decided by President Taft in 1912, when the flag had forty-eight stars. *Franklin Lane, on Flag Day 1914.

2 MARK THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES FLAG AS TRUE OR FALSE. IF THE SENTENCE IS FALSE, WRITE THE CORRECTION ON THE LINE BELOW. 1. The United States flag was designed by Betsy Ross. 2. The United States flag is a symbol of the country. 3. The United States flag design is very simple. 4. The canton is the upper quarter of the flag. 5. There has always been only one official United States flag. 6. The United States flag has always had exactly thirteen stripes. 7. The stars represent the constellation Orion. 8. The U. S. flag design now in use was designed in The current flag design has been used for over 40 years. 10. Each of the stripes represents one of the current states. 11. The United States has had a flag since The current flag has 51 stars. 13. The proportions of the flag were determined over 100 years after the first flag.

3 UNITED STATES FLAG RULES A national flag is a symbol of the country. Showing respect for the flag and following the rules about its care and treatment are a way of showing respect for the country it represents. There are several rules for handling the U.S. flag. The United States flag should never touch the ground be dipped be flown when dirty be flown in the dark be used in advertising be used as a decoration be used as a fabric be drawn on or decorated The flag should not touch the ground, because the flag should not be allowed to become dirty. It should be raised quickly, and lowered slowly and respectfully. The United States flag should not be dipped (lowered to someone or something else, to show respect). If the flag is dirty, it should be cleaned. If it is worn or dirty beyond repair, it should not be used, but disposed of properly. Some American Legion offices hold flag burning ceremonies on Flag Day. The flag should only be flown during the day. If it is flown at night, there should be a light on it. Flags should not be flown in bad weather, unless they are made of a special material to protect them from damage. Flags should be flown every day, especially on all national holidays. Public buildings, such as government offices and schools, should fly the flag on working days. United States flags that are inside should be on the right (its own right). The United States flag shouldn t be used for commercial purposes or as a decoration. Bunting, which is the cloth used in making flags, can be used to show patriotism without being disrespectful of the flag. Flags should not be used to make clothing, nor should little flags be sewn on as patches on everyday clothes. Military personnel, fire fighters, and police officers may wear United States flag patches as part of their uniforms. Lapel pins that carry an image of the United States flag should be worn on the left side, near the heart. In the United States, the United States flag should be flown above any other flags, to the far right of all other flags, and slightly in front of other flags. The only exception to this is at the U.N. headquarters, where the flag of the United Nations is in front, and all other member nations are equal.

4 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ABOUT UNITED STATES FLAG RULES 1. Showing respect for a flag is a. a way of showing respect for a country b. a good way to promote your business c. only done on Flag Day d. not really important to anybody 2. A national flag is a. a symbol of cleanliness b. a patch c. a symbol of the country d. a public building 3. The rules for handling the U.S. flag DO NOT a. include the right way to dispose of a flag b. include any exceptions c. include information about when to fly the flag d. include rules against mis-using the flag Match the word or phrase from the left column with the appropriate word or phrase from the right column 1. The U.S. flag shouldn t touch the ground a. above and/or to the right of all other flags. 2. The U.S. flag shouldn t be used b. because it could get dirty. 3. A patch of the U.S. flag c. in the dark. 4. U.S. flag pins d. is a symbol of the country. 5. The U.N. flag e. is acceptable in a military uniform. 6. The U.S. flag should fly f. is by burning it. 7. The correct way to dispose of the flag g. is in front of the U.S. flag in one place only. 8. Public buildings h. it should have a spotlight on it. 9. The flag should not be flown i. should be used instead of flags to make patriotic clothes. 10. Bunting j. should be worn on the left 11. A national flag k. should fly the flag on working days. 12. If the flag is flown at night l. to its far right. 13. Inside, the U.S. flag should be m. to make a patch on clothes. displayed

5 ANSWERS TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG 1. Betsy Ross did not design the United States flag. 2. True. 3. The design is rather complicated. 4. True 5. There have been over 20 official United States flag designs 6. The number of stripes has varied. 7. The stars represent the symbolic constellation of the United States. 8. The flag now in use was designed in true 10. Each of the stars represents a current state; the stripes represent the original states. 11. The U.S. has had a flag since The current flag has 50 stars. 13. true ANSWERS TO UNITED STATES FLAG RULES 1. a 2. c 3. d 1. The U.S. flag shouldn t touch the ground because it could get dirty. 2. The U.S. flag shouldn t be used to make a patch on clothes. 3. A patch of the U.S. flag is acceptable in a military uniform. 4. U.S. flag pins should be worn on the left 5. The U.N. flag is in front of the U.S. flag in one place only. 6. The U.S. flag should fly above and/or to the right of all other flags. 7. The correct way to dispose of the flag is by burning it. 8. Public buildings should fly the flag on working days. 9. The flag should not be flown in the dark. 10. Bunting should be used instead of flags to make patriotic clothes. 11. A national flag is a symbol of the country. 12. If the flag is flown at night it should have a spotlight on it. 13. Inside, the U.S. flag should be displayed to its far right.