The name "Old Glory" was given to our national flag August 10, 1831,
by Captain William Driver of the the brig Chas. Doggett.

The American's Creed

I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support it's constitution; to obey it's laws; to respect it's flag; and to defend it against all enemies.

Description Of The Flag

The flag of the United States of America was first authorized by Congress June 14, 1777. This date is now celebrated throughout the Nation by the observance of Flag Day.

The flag, which then had 13 stripes alternating red and white, representing the 13 states and a rectangular blue field with 13 white stars forming a circle within it, was a development of several flags which had been used in early Revolutionary battles. It was first decreed that there should be a star and stripe for each state, making 13 of both; for the States at that time, had just been formed from the original 13 colonies. The colors of Old Glory may be thus explained:

The red for valor, zeal and fervency: white for hope, purity, cleanliness of heart and rectitude of conduct; the blue, the color of the sky, epitomizing heaven, for reverence to God, for loyalty, sincerity, justice and truth.

The stars symbolize dominion and sovereignty, as well as loyal aspirations. The constellation of the stars within the Union, one star for each State, is emblematic of our Constitution which leaves to the States their individual sovereignty except as to rights specifically delegated to the Federal Government.

Old Glory is said to have been flown for the first time in the year 1777.

In 1795, after the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union, the number of stars and stripes was raised to 15. As other states were admitted to the Union during the next few years it became impracticable to add both stars and stripes. Congress, therefore, passed an act on April 14, 1818, restoring the 13 alternate red and white stripes as representing the 13 original states and providing for the addition of one star for each State upon it's admission to the Union.

The last addition to the American flag was made July 1, 1960, when two stars were added-one for Alaska and one for Hawaii-bringing the number to 50.

The stars are now arranged in 5 rows of 6 stars each and 4 rows of 5 stars each.

The flag of the United States of America has 13 horizontal stripes-7 red and 6 white-the red and white stripes alternating, and a union which consists of white stars of five points on a blue field placed in the upper quarter next to the staff and extending to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe from the top.

Paying Homage to the Flag

Salute to the Flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the Flag or when the Flag is passing in a parade or in a review, all persons present should face the Flag, stand at attention and salute. Those present in uniform should render the right hand salute. When not in uniform, men should remove the headdress with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Women should salute by placing the right hand over the heart. The salute to the Flag in the moving column is rendered at the moment the Flag passes.

Pledge to the Flag
In pledging allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, the approved practice is as follows:

Standing with the right hand over the heart, all repeat together the following pledge:

"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."

Salute To National Anthem
When the National Anthem is played and the Flag is not displayed, all present should stand and face toward the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note of the Anthem, retaining this position until the last note. All others should stand at attention, men removing the headdress. When the Flag is displayed, the regular "Salute to the Flag" should be given.
The "star-spangled Banner" is recommended for universal recognition as the National Anthem.

How And When To Display The Flag

The Flag should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset, or between such hours as may be designated by proper authority. It should be hoisted briskly but should be lowered slowly and ceremoniously. The Flag should be displayed on all National and State holidays and on historic and special occasions. It should fly from every flagpole every day, throughout the year, weather permitting; special days when the Flag should be properly displayed are: New Year's Day (January 1); Lincoln's birthday (February 12); Washington's Birthday (February 22); Easter Sunday (Variable); Memorial Day (May 30); Flag Day (June 14); Independence Day (July 4); Labor Day (First Monday in September); Columbus Day (October 12); Veteran's Day (November 11); Thanksgiving Day (November); Christmas Day (December 25), and other appropriate local or national public or historical occasions of a military, civil or religious nature.

When Flown At Half-Staff

When it is to be flown at half-staff, the Flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position; but before lowering the Flag for the day, it should be again raised to the peak, By half-staff is meant hauling down the Flag to one-half the distance between the top and the bottom of the staff. If local conditions require, divergence from this position is permissible. On Memorial Day (May 30th) the Flag is displayed at half-staff from sunrise until 12:00 o'clock noon out of respect for those who have died for it, and at full-staff from noon until sunset; for the Nation lives and the Flag is the symbol of the Living Nation.

When Carried With Other Flags

When carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the Flag of the United States of America Should be either on the marching right, or when there is a line of other flags, the Flag of the United States of America may be in front of the center of that line.

When Displayed Flat Against A Wall

When the Flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the the Flag's own right, that is, to the observers left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed the same way, that is, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.

When Displayed With Another Flag

When Flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the Flag of the United States of America, the latter should always be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs, the Flag of the United States of America should be hoisted first and lowered last.

When Displayed On Horizontal Staff

When the flag is displayed for a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony or front of a building, the union of the Flag should go clear to the peak of the staff (unless the Flag is to be displayed at half-staff.)

When Displayed Over Street Or Sidewalk

When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope, extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the Flag should be hoisted out from the building, towards the pole, union first.

When displayed over the middle of the street, the Flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

When Used With Other Flags For Decoration

When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the Flag of the United States of America should be on the right, (the Flag's own right) and it's staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

When a number of flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs with the Flag of the United States of America, the latter should be at the center or at the highest point of the group.

When Used In Club Meetings

When used on a speaker's platform, the Flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. If flown from a staff it should be in the position of honor, at the speaker's right. It should never be used to cover the Speaker's desk nor to drape over the front of the platform.

Bunting of the National colors should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping over the front of a platform and for decoration in general. Bunting should be arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle and the red below.