USA flag
The US flag is a rectangular panel with a non-standard aspect ratio of 10 to 19. There are seven red and six white stripes on the canvas in a horizontal order. The canton, that is, the upper corner at the flagpole of the United States, has fifty five-pointed white stars on a dark blue background..
A little known fact about the US flag is that it rounds out the top three oldest national symbols on the planet. In this he is second only to Great Britain and France..
The first US flag was raised on June 14, 1777. This day, for more than one century, is celebrated in America as National Flag Day. To be precise, the first national banner was raised after the Battle of Oriskani on August 6, 1777.
Initially, the number of white stars and stripes on the flag symbolized the number of colonies that won the war for their independence. There were 13 such colonies, the same was the number of stars and stripes. With the increase in the number of free colonies, of which there are already 50 today, the Congress decided not to add stripes to the flag, thus showing deep respect and tribute to the memory of the first winners. At the same time, the number of stars nevertheless increased in accordance with the number of states formed. This rule has remained unchanged for many centuries..
Now is the time to explain why the American flag is made in such colors as white, red and blue. These colors were not chosen by chance. Here you can see the connection with the Great Seal, which was adopted in 1782. White became a symbol of innocence and purity, red - valor, and blue - justice and vigilance.
There are some official prohibitions regarding the use of the American flag. So, the US flag cannot:
- to be lowered when expressing deep respect for a person or object;
- put down the canton, as this is a sign of distress;
- hang the flag in such a way that it will cling to other objects and get dirty;
- carry the flagstaff horizontally;
- wear a flag like a cape;
- use the flag as a blanket or sheet;
- use fabric for sewing clothes;
- draw on a cloth;
- wrap objects in a flag;
- to apply designs with the image of the flag to disposable items.
But, most interestingly, any citizen and resident of the United States of America is entitled to burn the national flag in protest against something. Moreover, this right is enshrined in the constitution..
Despite the fact that it is not known whether 51 states will appear in the United States, but the Institute of Heraldry has already developed a flag with a 51st star.
