By Cindy Sebring Adams
Illustrated by Bridgette Waldau

We celebrate our independence as Americans each year on July 4th but little is known and celebrated about Flag Day. The history of our flag is as fascinating as the American republic itself; it has survived battles, inspired songs and evolved in response to the growth of the country it represents.

The United States used to be a colony of the British many years ago. But after a while, the 13 original colonies decided they wanted to be their own nation. After fighting in the American Revolution, the US colonies finally won their independence from Great Britain. In order to officially declare their split from the British, the new nation needed to draw up a Declaration of Independence document. So, on July 2, 1776, one representative from each colony came together in Philadelphia to vote.

The American flag has symbolized our nation’s strength and unity since three members of a secret committee from the Continental Congress came to call upon Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, to sew the first flag in late May of 1776. Those representatives were George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross. In July of the same year, the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time at Independence Hall.

Read the full article on Issuu >> June-July 2025 Issue