Teacher’s Guide Beginning Information for the Lesson

History of 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 the American
Flag 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.
 The Star Spangled Banner

By Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
 AMERICA
My country, 'tis of Thee Lyrics
by Samuel F. Smith - 1832

My country, 'tis of Thee,
Sweet Land of Liberty
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From every mountain side
Let Freedom ring.
Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of Liberty,
To thee we sing,
Long may our land be bright
With Freedom's holy light,
Protect us by thy might
Great God, our King.
Beneath Heaven's gracious will
The stars of progress still
Our course do sway;
In unity sublime
To broader heights we climb,
Triumphant over Time,
God speeds our way!

My native country, thee,

Our glorious Land to-day, Grand birthright of our sires,
Land of the noble free,
'Neath Education's sway, Our altars and our fires
Thy name I love;
Soars upward still. Keep we still pure!
I love thy rocks and rills,
Its hills of learning fair, Our starry flag unfurled,
Thy woods and templed hills,
Whose bounties all may share, The hope of all the world,
My heart with rapture thrills
behold them everywhere In peace and light impearled,
Like that above.
On vale and hill! God hold secure!

Let music swell the breeze,

Thy safeguard, Liberty,
And ring from all the trees
The school shall ever be,
Sweet Freedom's song;
Our Nation's pride!
Let mortal tongues awake;
No tyrant hand shall smite,
Let all that breathe partake;
While with encircling might
Let rocks their silence break,
All here are taught the Right
The sound prolong.
With Truth allied.
 The Stars and Stripes Forever
by John Philip Sousa - 1897
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.
Name ________________________________ Date _______________

Betsy Ross & the American Flag
You may have seen the American flag hanging in your
classroom. The American flag is red, white, and blue. The
stars and stripes of the flag have a special meaning.
There are 13 red and white stripes on the American flag. This
is because there were 13 American colonies that became the
first states when the United States was formed.
There are 50 stars in the upper left corner of the flag. These
stars are outlined in blue. There are 50 stars on the flag
because there are 50 states in the United States.
The first American flag did not look like this, though it did
look similar. The main difference is that more stars were
added as more states became a part of the new country.
Betsy Ross created the first official flag of the United States.
At the time, Betsy was at great risk for creating a flag. Betsy
had a secret meeting at her upholstery shop in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. The meeting was in May of 1776 with General
George Washington, Robert Morris, and Colonel George
Ross.
They had a very special job for Betsy. They needed her to
make the flag that would later become the national symbol of
the United States!
Name ________________________________ Date _______________
George Washington showed Betsy a design that had a six-
sided
star. Betsy, who was very talented at sewing, showed the men
how she could quickly and easily cut out a perfect five-sided
star instead.
George Washington, who later became the first President of
the
United States, George Ross, who was Betsy’s late husband’s
uncle, and the very wealthy Robert Morris liked the five-sided
star so they asked Betsy to create the entire flag.
Betsy finished the flag within a month. Her flag had 13 red
and
white stripes. The upper corner was blue. Within the blue
corner was a circle of thirteen white stars to signify the 13
colonies.
Despite finishing the flag in June of 1776, it was not until
1777
when the United States officially recognized Betsy Ross’ flag
as the national flag.
The flag shows the unity of the nation of states that are united
under one government. When Americans look at the flag they
feel strong patriotism, or pride in their country.
When you look at the flag the next time, you will understand
 Name ________________________________ Date _______________

Betsy Ross & the American Flag

1. The person who made the first American flag was: 1

A. George Washington B. Betsy Ross 5. The current flag of the United States has _________ stars
C. Robert Morris D. George Ross on it
A. 12 B. 13
2. The year the first flag was made was: C. 20 D. 50
A. 1776 B. 1775
C. 1777 D. 1774 6. George Washington originally wanted a star with ______
sides on
3. Where did Betsy Ross live and have an upholstery shop? the flag.
A. New York City B. Raleigh A. 4 B. 5
C. Philadelphia D. Boston C. 6 D. 8

4. The first official flag of the United States had ________ 7. Robert Morris was:
stars on it. A. Betsy’s Uncle B. A wealthy man
A. 12 B. 13 C. The President D. A British Soldier
C. 20 D. 50
8. The flag of the United States helps Americans to show pride
in their
country which is also called:
A. Love B. Hope
C. Charity D. Patriotism
Name ________________________________ Date _______________
 Teacher’s Guide
Betsy Ross & the American Flag
Answer Key

1. B. Betsy Ross
2. A. 1776
3. C. Philadelphia
4. B. 13
5. D. 50
6. C. 6
7. B. A wealthy man
8. D. Patriotism
Name ________________________________ Date _______________
 Teacher’s Guide

The Pledge of Allegiance

1. Review the Pledge of Allegiance with the class:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the
Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all."

2. Tell students what the appropriate behavior is during the flag salute. Explain that they may
stand respectfully during the Pledge but are not required to say the words.

3. Explain that Americans pledge allegiance to the flag to show their loyalty to their country. Tell
them what the words of the Pledge of Allegiance mean. Use the Pledge of Allegiance activity.

o Have students cover up each definition with the correct word from the pledge.
o Cut out the word from the right hand side of the activity.
o Fold on the dotted line so that you have a window that opens.
o Cut out the entire square with the Pledge and the definitions on it and glue it to
blue and red paper.

4. Explain that the word "pledge" is a synonym for the words "promise". Brainstorm with your
students a list of times that they have made a promise.
 Name ________________________________ Date _______________

Pledge of Allegiance