Flag History for Flag Day

This past Wednesday was the first Hands-On History Open House at The Arms Family Museum.  The theme for the week was flags, here is some of what the participants learned:

 

The American Flag

Everyone knows that our nation’s flag is a symbol of liberty, pride, freedom, and patriotism that people all over the country recognize. Here are some flag facts:

• The official flag was approved by congress June 14^th, 1777. This is why Flag Day is celebrated June 14^th every year
• Our nation’s flag is also known as Old Glory, The Star-Spangled Banner, and the Stars and Stripes
• The 50 white stars symbolize the 50 states of the United States of America.
• The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain.

 The colors of the American Flag are officially White, Old Glory Red, and Old Glory Blue. Unofficially, red represents valor and zeal. White is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life. Blue represents the color of the heavens, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth.  The American Flag should always be treated with respect. The flag should be replaced if it is torn, folded when not in use, and lit up when displayed at night.

 

 

The Flag of Ohio

You do not have to be a country to have your own flag.  Schools, cities, and states have flags too! Here are some facts about the Ohio flag:

•  The flag was created by John Eisemann, and adopted in 1902
• No other state in the country has a flag shaped like Ohio’s
•  The design of the flag is called a burgee
•  The large blue triangle on the flag represents Ohio’s hills and valleys
•  The stripes represent the roads and waterways
•  The 17 stars on the flag represent the fact that Ohio was the 17^th state to enter the Union
•  The white circle with the red circle in it represent both the first letter in “Ohio,” and the buckeye.

 

 

Hands on History Open Houses are every Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at The Arms Family Museum.  Each week will feature a new theme with crafts, games and activities.  Click here for more information and for a list of all the upcoming themes!