The American Flag

It is a popular belief that Betsy Ross designed and made the very first American flag for the general of the Continental army, George Washington, in 1777.

 But that is unfortunately a misconception. 
 

"The first American flag was a banner with thirteen alternating red and white stripes with the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew set into to the upper left corner. These were symbols of the British throne and captured the hope that there might still be a political resolution that would maintain some connection between Americans and the throne of England."
{Don't Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis ISBN 0-06-008382-4}

I never knew that there was a flag design that predated the 13 star flag, but in a way it makes logical sense.

Originally the colonists did not want to be free of the English throne, they just wanted to feel like proper countrymen. The slogan "No taxation without representation" started because the English Parliament decided to tax the colonies to help pay the dept of the previous "Seven Years War", also known by the colonial name of the "French and Indian War".
This upset the colonists but it was really a minor thing in the long run, just something to get the people to start having ill-feelings towards the Crown.

As time went on the the tug-of-war between the colonies and England continued until Parliament decided to put its foot down and passed series of bills which the colonists called the Intolerable Acts, which spurred the colonists to convene for the First Continental Congress in 1774.

Even as the Revolution was beginning there were still many colonists who were loyal to the Crown and the patriots had to keep that in mind, thus the British symbols were incorporated into the flag to show that they were willing to work with the Crown but only to an extent.

As well all know by now, the English and the colonists could not come to an agreement and the Declaration of Independence was signed on the 4th of July, 1776.

The Revolutionary War does not officially end until the Treaty of Paris is ratified by Congress in January of 1784.

I find it interesting that we as Americans celebrate when we declared independence instead of when we actually acquired independence, but I can't really argue with the nationally holiday, now can I?

I am proud to say that I am an American; knowing that our country is not perfect, never has been and never will be, but we worked hard for our country to be a place of peace and prosperity.