The Flag
The first flag was commissioned in 1777.  It originally had thirteen alternating red and white stripes with thirteen white stars on a blue field for each of the original colonies.  Has we accepted more states into the Union one additional star was added for each.

 

Today, the U.S. flag consists of 50 white stars on a blue field and thirteen alternating red and white stripes.  Each of the three colors on the flag have a special meaning.  White stands for purity and innocence, red represents valor and bravery and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.

The National Anthem
Francis Scott Key penned the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814 during a British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore.  After the 25-hour offensive ended, he could still see the flag flying overhead.  The Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as our national anthem in 1931. 

 

View the words of the Star-Spangled Banner.

The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in 1892 as an expression to say “what our republic meant and what was the underlying spirit of its life.”  His original text has been changed twice.  In 1923 “my flag” was replaced by “the flag of the United States of America”, and in 1954 Congress added the phrase “under God”.  Congress officially recognized the Pledge in 1942.

The National Flower
The rose is the national floral emblem of the United States.  It was proposed 1985 and adopted by Congress in on September 23, 1986. President Ronald Regan issued a proclamation and signed the resolution on October 7, 1986 from the White House Rose Garden.

 

Over the years, the rose has been a symbol of love, beauty, war and politics.

Hail to the Chief
Hail to the Chief is a presidential march played by the United States Marine Corps band before the President of the United States makes a ceremonial appearance.  In 1954, the Department of Defense made Hail to the Chief the official tune to announce the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief.  

To view other patriotic songs, symbols and to learn about national holidays, click here.