The American Flag and Other Symbols

1
The American Flag and Other Symbols
2
Chapter overview

• The American flag and other symbols
• What is the history and symbolism of the American
  flag?
• How should the flag be displayed and honored?
• What are the history and meaning of the National
  Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Flag Day?
• What are the uses of and symbols in the Great
  Seal of the United States and the Air Force Seal?
  
• What is the Americans Creed?

3
Chapter overview (contd)

• Civics
• What is civics?
• Why do people need government?
• What are the functions and levels of government?
• What is democratic government?
• What are the requirements and responsibilities of
  American citizens and people who live in America?
  
• How and why should citizens volunteer in their
  communities?

4
Chapter overview (contd)

• The Constitution of the United States
• What do the statements in the articles, sections,
  and amendments in the Constitution mean?
• What are the three main parts of the
  Constitution?
• How can the Constitution be amended?
• How is the Constitution interpreted by the
  Supreme Court, Congress, the president, and
  custom?

5
Chapter overview (contd)

• The Bill of Rights
• What freedoms does the First Amendment protect,
  and how are they limited?
• How are the rights of the accused protected by
  the Bill of Rights?
• What other rights are protected by the Bill of
  Rights?
• How did the Bill of Rights gradually come to
  protect all Americans equally?
• What is the history of the struggle for civil
  rights, and how does it affect us today?

6
Chapter overview (contd)

• U.S. national government
• What is Congress, and how is it organized?
• How does a bill become a law?
• What are the requirements to become a U.S.
  president?
• What is the job of the vice president, and who is
  in line to replace the president after the vice
  president?
• How does the Judicial Branch carry out equal
  justice?
• What is the federal court system, and what kinds
  of cases are tried in U.S. district courts and
  courts of appeals?
• What are the roles of federal judges and Supreme
  Court justices?

7
Chapter overview (contd)

• Comparing systems of government
• What are authoritarian governments?
• What are the characteristics of the systems of
  government in the Peoples Republic of China,
  Cuba, Iran, Iraq, and the Democratic Peoples
  Republic of Korea (North Korea)?
• How and why did Soviet Communism collapse in
  Russia, and what is the outlook for Russias
  future?
• What types of governments are considered
  democratic?

8
Motivation

• What should you do when the American flag is
  being hoisted or lowered?
• When should you salute during the playing of the
  National Anthem?

9
Lesson overview

• What is the history and symbolism of the American
  flag?
• What laws and regulations govern the flag?
• When should the flag be displayed?
• How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
• What is the proper way to show respect for the
  flag?

10
Lesson overview (contd)

• What is the proper way to show respect for the
  National Anthem?
• What is the significance of the Pledge of
  Allegiance?
• What is the history of Flag Day?
• What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
  United States?
• What is the significance of the Air Force Seal?
• What is the Americans Creed?

11
Quick Write

• Make a quick list of everything you know about
  the design of the American flag. Then, write down
  what you know about how to display it, treat it,
  and show it respect. What do the American flag
  and other patriotic symbols mean to you?

12
What is the history of the American flag?

• The Second Continental Congress officially
  adopted the American flag in Philadelphia on June
  14, 1777 .
• The design called for
• 13 stripes, alternating red and white
• A unionthe upper left corner of the flagwith13
  stars, white in a blue field
• Francis Hopkinson is probably responsible for the
  stars in the American flag.

13
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• During the Revolutionary War, patriots made flags
  for our new nation.
• Betsy Ross
• The claim that she designed the first flag of the
  United States is based on family traditions.

14
What is the history of the American flag?
(contd)

• Grand Union Flag
• First flag of the colonists that looked like the
  present Stars and Stripes
• Also known as the Congress Colors, the First
  Navy Ensign, or the Cambridge Flag
• Design 13 stripes, blue field with two crosses

15
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• In 1794, Congress passed an act requiring that
  the flag have 15 stars and 15 stripes.
• This became the official flag from 1795 to 1818.
• It played a role in historic events.
• Inspired the Star Spangled Banner

16
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• Capt Samuel C. Reid, USN, suggested
• Constant of 13 stripes, but one star added to
  blue field for each new state added to Union
• April 4, 1818 President Monroe accepted bill
  that reflected Reids ideas.

17
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• The flag changed as new states were admitted to
  the Union.
• Last added stars were for Arizona, New Mexico,
  Alaska and Hawaii.
• With the 50-star flag came a new design and
  arrangement of stars in the union.

18
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• Colors used in the American flag
• White purity and innocence
• Red hardiness and valor
• Blue vigilance, perseverance, and justice
• An American flag with 50 stars was raised for the
  first time on July 4, 1960.
• The American flag is traditionally a symbol of
  liberty and freedom.

19
What is the history of the American flag? (contd)

• Elements in the design of todays flag
• 13 horizontal stripes7 red and 6 white,
  alternating
• Union of white, five-pointed stars on blue field
• Blue field in the upper quarter of the flag next
  to the staff, extending to the lower edge of the
  fourth red stripe from the top
• Number of stars equal to the number of states in
  the Union

20
What laws and regulations govern the flag?

• United States Code
• Title 4, Chapter 1
• Title 18, Chapter 33
• Title 36, Chapter 10
• Executive orders and presidential proclamations

21
When should the flag be displayed?

• Display flag only from sunrise to sunset on
  buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the
  open.
• Can display all-weather flag 24 hours a day if
  properly lit at night.
• Can display flag in good weather on all days,
  especially certain holidays.

22
When should the flag be displayed? (contd)

• The flag should be displayed
• Daily on or near the main administration building
  of every public institution
• On election days in or near every polling place
• During school days in or near every schoolhouse

23
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?

• In a procession with another flag or flags
• Marching right or front and center of line
• On a float in a parade
• On staff or suspended, folds falling free
• On a vehicle, railroad train, or boat
• Not draped over any surface
• On a motorcar
• Staff attached to chassis or right fender

24
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• No other flags or pennants above it
• Exceptions services at sea, U.N. flag
• National colors only on vehicles designed for
  colors and color guards
• If displayed with crossed staffs, flag on and
  staff in front

25
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• Display flag flat or hanging free.
• With other flags of states/localities/societies
• On separate staffs Flag in center, at highest
  point
• Hoist American flag first, lower last
• On same halyard American flag at highest point
• No other flags/pennants above or to right of
  American flag

26
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• With flags of other nations
• Separate staffs, equal size, same height
• On horizontal staff or angled staff from
  windowsill, balcony, or front of building
• Union at peak of staff (unless at half-staff)
• Over a sidewalk, on rope from house to pole
• Hoist out from building, union first

27
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• Against a wall or in a window
• Union uppermost, to flags own right
• Over the middle of the street
• Vertically, union toward north or east
• Flat on speakers platform
• Above and behind speaker
• In ceremony for unveiling statue/monument
• Not as covering for object

28
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• When flying the flag at half-staff
• First, hoist it to the peak for an instant.
• Then, lower it to the half-staff position.
• Before it is lowered for the day, hoist it to
  the peak again.
• On Memorial Day, display the flag at half-staff
  until noon only.

29
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• Presidential order Fly flag at half-staff upon
  death of important government figures.
• Flag may be displayed at half-staff for death of
  other officials or foreign dignitaries.
• Governor of state/territory/possession may decide
  to fly national flag at half-staff upon death of
  present or former official of that government.

30
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• Fly flag at half-staff after death of
• President or former president
• Vice president, Chief Justice, retired Chief
  Justice, or Speaker of the House
• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, secretary
  of an executive or military department, former
  vice president, governor of a state/territory/poss
  ession
• Member of Congress

31
How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
(contd)

• When covering a casket
• Place flag with union at head and over left
  shoulder. Do not lower flag into grave or let it
  touch ground.
• When displayed with United Nations flag
• American flag should be on right and above United
  Nations flag.

32
What is the proper way to show respect for the
flag?

• Never dip the flag to any person or thing.
• Never display the flag with the union down,
  except as a signal of dire distress.
• Never let the flag touch anything beneath it.

33
What is the proper way to show respect for the
flag? (contd)

• Never carry the flag flat or horizontally.
• Never use the flag as apparel, bedding, or
  drapery.
• When using bunting, always arrange it with blue
  above, white in the middle, and red below.

34
What is the proper way to show respect for the
flag? (contd)

• Never use or store the flag in a way that might
  tear, soil, or damage it.
• Never use the flag as a ceiling covering.
• Do not put any markings on the flag.
• Never use the flag to receive, hold, carry, or
  deliver anything.

35
What is the proper way to show respect for the
flag? (contd)

• Never use the flag for advertising.
• Never use any part of the flag as a costume or
  athletic uniform.
• Wear a flag pin on the left lapel near the heart.
• If a flag is worn out, destroy it in a dignified
  way (burning).

36
What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
and the National Anthem?

• The National Anthem is played at most flag
  ceremonies.
• Parades, reveille, retreat, prior to events
• Sometimes, To the Colors, a bugle call, is used
  instead. It is given the same respect as the
  National Anthem.

37
What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
and the National Anthem? (contd)

• Military and civilian courtesies for flag
  ceremonies
• When in uniform and in formation
• When in uniform but not in formation
• When indoors
• When outdoors in uniform

38
What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
and the National Anthem? (contd)

• When outdoors in civilian clothes
• When a flag is escorted past outdoors
• When a flag is on a stationary flagstaff
• When a flag is small or cased and folded
• When indoors in civilian clothing
• During indoor ceremonies

39
What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
and the National Anthem? (contd)

• When riding in a civilian or military vehicle
• When the flag is at half-staff
• When the flag is hoisted, is lowered, or passes
  by
• When the National Anthem is played

40
What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
and the National Anthem? (contd)

• The National Anthem
• Was written by Francis Scott Key
• Was inspired by the sight of an American flag
  waving over Fort McHenry after a British attack
• Began as a poem and became the National Anthem of
  the United States

41
What is the significance of the Pledge of
Allegiance?

• The original
• Written in the office of a Boston magazine
• Intended to celebrate the 400th anniversary of
  the discovery of America
• First published and used in 1892
• Authorship claimed by two people

42
What is the significance of the Pledge of
Allegiance? (contd)

• 1945 Congress recognized Francis M. Bellamy as
  the author.
• 1923 Wording changed from my flag to the
  flag of the United States.
• 1954 Words under God were added.

43
What is the significance of the Pledge of
Allegiance? (contd)

• Purposes of the Pledge
• Expresses patriotism and loyalty
• Expresses the freedom of our nation
• Reminds us of our duty to preserve liberty and
  justice for all

44
What is the significance of the Pledge of
Allegiance? (contd)

• Reciting the Pledge
• Come to attention and face the flag.
• When not in uniform, remove headdress and hold it
  at left shoulder.
• When in uniform, remain silent, stand at
  attention, face the flag, and salute if outdoors.
  If indoors, stand at attention.

45
What is the history of Flag Day?

• Celebrates the birthday of the Stars and Stripes
  June 14, 1777
• First national observance June 14, 1877
• In 1916, President Wilson called for nationwide
  observance.
• In 1949, Flag Day became a permanent observance.

46
What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
United States?

• Designed to reflect the Founding Fathers
  beliefs, their values, and the sovereignty of the
  new nation
• Completed on June 20, 1782
• Contains vertical stripes with the same colors
  used in in the American flag

47
What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
United States? (contd)

• The obverse of the Great Seal authenticates the
  presidents signature on many official documents.
• Treaty ratifications
• International agreements
• Appointments of ambassadors

48
What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
United States? (contd)?

• Features of the obverse of the Great Seal
• American bald eagle
• Shield with 13 red and white stripes and blue bar
• Motto of the United StatesE Pluribus Unum
• Olive branch and 13 arrows
• Constellation of stars
• Design of obverse is shown in many ways.

49
What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
United States? (contd)

• Features of the reverse of the Great Seal
• Pyramid
• Eye over the pyramid
• MottoAnnuit Coeptis
• Roman numerals
• Words under the pyramidNovus Ordo Seclorum

50
What is the significance of the Air Force Seal?

• Design is based on historic tradition and
  symbolism.
• Coat of arms with two parts
• Crest
• Shield
• White stars
• Numerals under the shield
• Band encircling the design
• Inscriptions

51
What is the Americans Creed?

• Americans CreedStatement about the type of
  government in the United States and the
  principles on which it is based, followed by
  personal commitment
• Written by William Tyler Page in 1918

52
Lesson review

• The Second Continental Congress adopted the
  American flag on June 14, 1777.
• During the Revolutionary War, several patriots
  made flags for our new nation. Among them was
  Betsy Ross.
• The colonists first flag was the Grand Union
  flag.

53
Lesson review (contd)

• The first change in the flags design was in
  1794.
• Act requiring 15 stars and 15 stripes to account
  for two new states
• Official flag from 1795 to 1818

54
Lesson review (contd)

• Changes to the flag resulting from bill signed in
  1818
• Union of 20 stars
• Process for adding new stars to the flag
• 50-star flag
• New design and arrangement of stars in the union
• Official American flag

55
Lesson review (contd)

• Colors used in the flag
• White purity and innocence
• Red hardiness and valor
• Blue vigilance, perseverance, justice
• The American flag is traditionally a symbol of
  liberty and freedom.

56
Lesson review (contd)

• Current American flag features
• 13 horizontal stripes, alternating red and white
• Union of five-pointed white stars on a blue field
• Laws that govern the flag are found in the United
  States Code.

57
Lesson review (contd)

• The flag is usually displayed only from sunrise
  to sunset on buildings and on stationary
  flagstaffs in the open.
• A law signed in 1976 permits display of an
  all-weather American flag all day and night with
  proper lighting.

58
Lesson review (contd)

• The flag can be displayed in good weather on all
  days, especially certain holidays.
• Flag should be displayed on certain days in
  certain places.
• At public institutions daily
• At polling places on election days
• At schoolhouses on school days

59
Lesson review (contd)

• Carry the flag on the marching right or front and
  center in a line of flags.
• AF personnel should follow specific guidelines
  for positioning and displaying the American flag.
• In general, no other flag or pennant should be
  placed above or to the right of the American flag.

60
Lesson review (contd)

• In general, the American flag should be displayed
  flat or hanging free.
• The flag is flown at half-staff on Memorial Day
  morning and by order of the president or a
  governor.
• When the American flag and United Nations flag
  are on display together, the American flag is on
  the right and uppermost.

61
Lesson review (contd)

• AF personnel should always show respect to the
  American flag.
• Be aware of guidelines for displaying, carrying,
  and using the flag.
• Know how to properly destroy a flag that is no
  longer fit for display.

62
Lesson review (contd)

• AF personnel should follow specific procedures to
  show respect to the flag.
• During flag ceremonies
• When the National Anthem or To the Colors is
  played during these ceremonies
• Francis Scott Key wrote The Star-Spangled
  Banner in 1814. This poem later became the
  National Anthem.

63
Lesson review (contd)

• The Pledge of Allegiance expresses patriotism and
  loyalty, a free nation, and the need to preserve
  liberty and justice.
• Every June 14, we celebrate Flag Day.
• Commemorates birthday of Stars and Stripes
• 1877 First national Flag Day observed
• 1949 Flag Day made permanent observance

64
Lesson review (contd)

• The Great Seal of the United States was adopted
  on June 20, 1782.
• Reflects Founding Fathers beliefs, their values,
  and the sovereignty of a new nation
• Obverse used to authenticate presidents
  signature
• Obverse and reverse appear on the dollar bill

65
Lesson review (contd)

• The design of the Air Force seal is based on
  historic tradition and symbolism.
• The Americans Creed is a statement about the
  type of government in the United States and the
  principles on which it is based.
• The Americans Creed was written by William Tyler
  Page in 1918.

66
Summary

• What is the history of the American flag?
• What laws and regulations govern the flag?
• When should the flag be displayed?
• How should the flag be positioned and displayed?
• What is the proper way to show respect for the
  flag?

67
Summary (contd)

• What courtesies should be rendered to the flag
  and the National Anthem?
• What is the significance of the Pledge of
  Allegiance?
• What is the history of Flag Day?
• What is the significance of the Great Seal of the
  United States?
• What is the significance of the Air Force Seal?
• What is the Americans Creed?

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Next

• Done The American flag and other symbols
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