Back to American Revolution for kids During the American Revolutionary War, the Congress decided that the country needed a flag to represent the united colonies. On June 14, 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed a Flag Resolution. This day is still celebrated as Flag Day in the United States.The resolution said that the United States Flag would have 13 red and white alternating stripes and that there would be a blue area with 13 white stars. They didn't give an exact description of the flag and there were several different versions. Did Betsy Ross sew the first flag? Legend has it that seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the first American Flag from a sketch that George Washington gave her. No one is sure if this story is fact or just a myth, but it makes for a good story. 
Flag design by Betsy Ross Changing of the flag The flag has changed over the years. Here is the history of changes:
The official flag is to be 1.9 times as long as it's width. It has thirteen red and white alternating stripes with a red stripe on the top and on the bottom. The blue part in the upper left is called the Union. The Union is to be 7 stripes tall. There are 50 white stars in the Union representing the 50 states. They are in 11 staggered horizontal rows of 5 and 6 stars. What are the names of the flag? The US flag has several nicknames. The most popular ones include the Star Spangled Banner, the Stars and Stripes, and Old Glory. Star Spangled Banner This is a nickname for the United States flag. The original Star Spangled Banner flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore which was part of the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about the battle and flag that was later turned into a song. The song eventually became the National Anthem of the United States. Honor the Flag The United States flag is a symbol of our freedom. Many men and women have died over the years to preserve our freedom and the flag represents them as well. There are rules of flag etiquette some of which include never letting the flag touch the ground, how and where it should be displayed, and that it should be lit up if flown at night. Take a ten question quiz at the United States Flag questions page. More on the Revolutionary War:
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