History & Evolution of the American Flag | Documentary | 1964

This 1964 film – originally titled as "Old Glory" – is a vintage documentary produced by the U.S. Army. The film tells the story of the American flag, relating its evolution to the growth and history of the United States of America. It follows the development of the American flag from the colonial flags to the stars and stripes of today. It is a motivational film, one which capitalizes upon traditional American beliefs and feelings to inspire the viewers to greater understanding of the flag and its true meaning.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND / CONTEXT

The flag of the United States of America, often referred to as the American flag, is the national flag of the United States. It consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the "union") bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, where rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternate with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 states of the United States of America, and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and became the first states in the U.S. Nicknames for the flag include The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Star-Spangled Banner.

After the American Revolution began, the first, unofficial national flag – known as the Continental Colours (or, sometimes, as the Grand Union Flag, the Cambridge Flag, the Somerville Flag, or the Union Flag) – was hoisted on a towering 76-foot liberty pole at Prospect Hill in Charlestown (now in Somerville), Massachusetts, on January 1, 1776; it was raised at the behest of General George Washington, whose headquarters were nearby. The flag had 13 horizontal stripes (probably of red and white or of red, white, and blue) and, in the canton, the first version of the British Union Flag (Union Jack). As the flag of the Continental Army, it flew at forts and on naval vessels. Another popular early flag, that of the 1765 Sons of Liberty, had only nine red and white stripes. Various versions of “Don’t Tread on Me” coiled-rattlesnake flags appeared on many 18th-century American colonial banners, including several flown by military units during the Revolutionary War.

The first official national flag, formally approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, was the Stars and Stripes. That first Flag Resolution read, in toto, “Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” The layout of the stars was left undefined, and many patterns were used by flag makers. The designer of the flag – most likely Congressman Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence – may have had a ring of stars in mind to symbolize the new constellation. Today that pattern is popularly known as the “Betsy Ross flag”. Rows of stars were common, but many other variations also existed.

The Stars and Stripes changed on May 1, 1795, when Congress enacted the second Flag Resolution, which mandated that new stars and stripes be added to the flag when new states were admitted to the Union. The first two new states were Vermont (1791) and Kentucky (1792). In 1818, after five more states had been admitted, Congress enacted the third and last Flag Resolution, requiring that henceforth the number of stripes should remain 13, the number of stars should always match the number of states, and any new star should be added on the July 4 following a state’s admission. This has been the system ever since. In all, from 1777 to 1960 (after the admission of Hawaii in 1959), there were 27 versions of the flag. An executive order signed by President William Howard Taft on October 29, 1912, standardized for the first time the proportions and relative sizes of the elements of the flag; in 1934 the exact shades of color were standardized.

Since 1892, millions of children have recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the start of each school day, and the lyrics of the national anthem are also concerned with the flag.

History & Evolution of the American Flag | Documentary | 1964

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NOTE: THE VIDEO DOCUMENTS HISTORICAL EVENTS. SINCE IT WAS PRODUCED DECADES AGO, IT HAS HISTORICAL VALUES AND CAN BE CONSIDERED AS A VALUABLE HISTORICAL DOCUMENT. THE VIDEO HAS BEEN UPLOADED WITH EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. ITS TOPIC IS REPRESENTED WITHIN HISTORICAL CONTEXT. THE VIDEO DOES NOT CONTAIN SENSITIVE SCENES AT ALL!

[lianacordova]

I'm proud to be an American. America was founded upon the idea that government should NOT rule the people but the people should rule themselves. It was a wonderful and radical idea. And since then we have been fighting to keep the government in check and not ruling over us. No, America is not perfect.(to those who want to criticize) But no government is in any country. That is the point of America. No single person should have so much power. But we are a place where freedom and bravery have always dwelt. I am grateful to call myself an American and pledge my allegiance to such a beautiful flag

[everythinghomestead]

I am a scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts - we are teaching our scouts about the flag, indepth, and this is a beautiful film to show them. Thank you for posting this!

[BADA]

Thank you for making this available! I think that people before they open their mouths who want to bash America need to go back and watch and learn some history.

[cliffordcasnermillar]

Absolutely beautiful! Proud to be an American!

[the_original_Bilb_Ono]

I watch tons of black and white films but this is the first time i wish i could actually see the colors. The color used is extremely important to flags.

[TheBestFilmArchives]

*COMMENT, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE!* Thank you!

[TheBestFilmArchives]

*SHARE this video with your friends on Google+, Facebook and Twitter!* Thank you!

[wethusky]

As a Canadian, who's direct descendant fought in the war of 1812 (a statue in Toronto, as well), millions of us support, and love, the USofA!

[camscdan]

America, the land of the free because of the brave, God bless the U.S of A!

[billofwrights]

The definition of Old Glory’s history summed up in one movie! I also really enjoy the cartoons that took place in between! Even the flags that flew before independence was gained were featured!

[telescopingflagpole]

I love love love this intro! Takes me back to my childhood!

[christinebetz]

Excellent film. My 6th graders loved it! Very educational.

[mickles]

If it weren't for the wars with France and with Spain at the time, the revolutionary war would probably have been far longer and far bloodier. Perfect timing for the war really.

[scawfan]

The Grand Union flag is SO under appreciated.

[autobot-jedi-iron-man]

This channel is flipping amazing! 1:14 MY

[justaguyreal]

Amazing the meaning behind how the US flag was designed.

[JC.]

Im from Cuba . I came 14 years ago. Comming to this beautiful country its been grate. I came from slavery to freedom from desgrace to grace thats why i thank God everyday for this country . The frist sentence from the national anthem says . Oh say can you see. And let me tell you . ive seen how this land have taken me as her own son. I became citizen 5 years ago and today a can also say .I am proud to be an American.

[taotao]

1776, the first democratic country in the world was born. Now over 70% of world countries are democratic.

[callsign_fatality]

1:15 is when the vid actually gets going

[MinerDaveEverist]

My Name Sake Private David Everist answer the Roll Call at battle of Trenton and Princeton