The Stars and Stripes: Celebrating National Flag Day
Every year on June 14, the United States celebrates Flag Day. This holiday honors the adoption of the American flag, which happened over two hundred years ago. While it is not a federal holiday where schools and banks always close, it is a significant day for many people to show their patriotism and learn about the history of the "Stars and Stripes."
The story of the American flag began during the Revolutionary War. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a very important resolution. They decided that the flag of the United States should have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white. They also decided that the "union," or the corner of the flag, should be a blue field with thirteen white stars, representing a "new constellation." At that time, the thirteen stars stood for the thirteen original colonies that were fighting for independence from Great Britain.
As the United States grew, the flag had to change. Every time a new state joined the Union, a new star was added to the blue field. However, the thirteen stripes remained the same to honor the original colonies. The current flag, which has fifty stars, was designed after Hawaii became the fiftieth state in 1959. This version has been the official flag for longer than any other design in American history.
- Resolution:
- A formal statement of opinion or a decision agreed upon by a group.
- Constellation:
- A group of stars that form a pattern.
- Etiquette:
- The customary code of polite behavior or set of rules for proper conduct.
- Proclamation:
- A public or official announcement, usually made by a person of authority.
- Observance:
- The act of following a custom, rule, or celebrating a holiday.
- patriotism:
- Love, support, and pride that a person feels for their country.
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- 1On what specific date did the Second Continental Congress pass the resolution for the first American flag?
- 2What do the thirteen stripes on the American flag represent?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
“The Stars and Stripes: Celebrating National Flag Day” is a informational reading passage about National Flag Day, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (544 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.