New Years Eve in New York City
Like just about anything out there, the American Flag did not materialize from nothing. Betsy Ross didn’t have an epiphany after striking her head in the kitchen while baking an apple pie, only to rush to the rocking chair and knit a red, white and blue tapestry. Other flags played roles in the creation and design of our own national insignia. To understand the history of the American Flag, I think I have to explain a little further beyond the history of the United States. Thanks to my holiday reading, I can do that! LOL! Okay, here we go:
Most everyone can recognize the British Flag. It’s colors are near identical to that of the American Flag, but with a much different design: red, white, and blue, with a red cross, and a white X over a blue background. This design, just like I stated above about the American Flag, was not just invented by the hottest graphic designer of the 1600’s. The earliest versions of this design was known as the King’s Colors, and rightfully so. You see, the creation of King’s Colors was influenced by two flags that flew for both Great Britain and Scotland. It was created in the early 17th century, following the death of Queen Elizabeth I, when Scotland’s King James VI took control of England. Elizabeth I had no heirs to take the throne, so James, King of Scotland (and ol’ Lizzy’s cousin), took over as King of England. To show unity between the two countries, their flags were combined.
St. Georges Cross Flag
Before the “merger,” England flew The St.George Cross Flag, which was white, bearing a red cross, and Scotland flew a blue flag with a big white X, known as The St. Andrew Flag. The two were combined in 1606 to create the King’s Colors. As I said above, “rightfully so,” because those were King James’ colors for both of his countries. Two decades later, the flag was renamed the Union Flag.
Now, my history lovin’ buffs, the Union Flag with its red, white and blue colors… was one of several flags that influenced the creation of our American Flag. How, you ask? Well, okay, I’ll share on… LOL! … if you know your history, you’re familiar that English settlers founded Jamestown, Virginia in the early 1600’s. With them, they brought their flag (which, in 1607, was still referred to as the King’s Colors). The King’s Colors flew atop the high mast of their ships, above the sails. Flown from the height of the highest mast, and above large billowing sails, the flag was not too easy to see from the shores below. So, English and Scottish ships began flying smaller Union Flags at the bow. Flown on the jack-staff, these became known as Union Jacks.
British Red Ensign Flag
As the throne of England changed Kings over the years, more flags were created for the ships so their purposes could be identified. One flag, known as the English Red Ensign, was flown by some English Merchant Ships. It was solid red, and in the upper left corner (where the blue starfield on our American Flag is located), carried the cross of St. George. Another flag that came years later looked very similar to the Red Ensign. Known as the British Red Ensign, this flag also had a solid red body. It’s difference from its Red ensign predecessor was in the upper left corner, where the British Red Ensign adorned the Union Flag design. This flag was flown in Colonial America in the early 1700’s, and during the early stages of the Revolutionary War.
That’s a lot of flags! And I have more to tell you about as we get to the point of the lesson of how our American Flag came to be. But right now I think I’ll let you all digest what we’ve learned. Ah, hear that? The bell is ringing! LOL! This lesson is over. In our next class, we’ll discuss The Continental Navy Jack. This flag had stripes. Care to take a wild guess at what colors they are? Hint, hint!!!
I hope that everyone had an awesome 2008. I sure did! And Here’s to 2009! Talk to you again real soon!!!
Lexi
