The American flag has a long and amazing history. If you’re looking for classroom activities or just curious about your country, there’s a lot to know about Old Glory. Keep reading to learn five fun and cool facts about the American Flag.
Many people believe there is only one way to properly fold the American flag, but that’s not true! The US Flag Code doesn’t specify how to fold the flag, though getting the flag into that classic triangle shape does take a specific folding pattern. This process is called the Flag Folding Procedure, and it’s considered the traditional way to fold the flag by most branches of the military. Most people use this method out of respect for the flag.
Old Glory is a popular nickname for the American flag, but it originally applied to a specific flag. This was the American flag owned by William Driver, a sea captain who lived during the Civil War. His mother and a group of other seamstresses from his hometown originally made the flag as a gift to celebrate Driver getting command of his own ship. Then, during the Civil War, he famously flew the flag while nearby battles raged.
The American flag has a simple yet powerful design that makes it very easy to recognize. Many people already know the stars and stripes represent the states and the original thirteen colonies. However, the flag’s colors are important, too. They symbolize the nation’s values:
Like most historical textiles, the original American flags were made from natural fibers; these included hemp, silk, wool, and even linen. However, modern textiles are used more often today because they hold up better to wind and weather—you don’t want your flag looking ragged! Modern flags are typically made from nylon, polyester, or heavy-duty cotton.
While the Star-Spangled Banner is the official flag of the United States, it could have looked very different. Betsy Ross’s famous design was not the only flag used to symbolize the union during the early days of the US. Other flags that could have become the national banner include the Grand Union flag, the Liberty Tree flag, and the Gadsden flag—more commonly known as the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.
We hope you enjoyed these five fun and cool facts about the American Flag. Even though the country is only a few centuries old, it has a lot of history!
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