Tuesday, January 13, 2009

15 Stars and 15 Stripes 1/13/1794



I've been told that some members of Congress disagree with my tax cut proposal. Well, you know it's been said that taxation is the art of plucking feathers without killing the bird. It's time they realized the bird just doesn't have any feathers left. Ronald Reagan


Ronald Reagan understood the founding fathers. Just wanted to slip that in.

When two new States were admitted to the Union (Kentucky and Vermont), a resolution was adopted on January 13, of 1794 expanding the flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes.

This flag was the official flag of our country from 1795 to 1818, and was prominent in many historic events. It inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the bombardment of Fort McHenry; it was the first flag to be flown over a fortress of the Old World when American Marine and Naval forces raised it above the pirate stronghold in Tripoli on April 27, 1805; it was the ensign of American forces in the Battle of Lake Erie in September of 1813; and it was flown by General Jackson in New Orleans in January of 1815.

However, realizing that the flag would become unwieldy with a stripe for each new State, Capt. Samuel C. Reid, USN, suggested to Congress that the stripes remain 13 in number to represent the Thirteen Colonies, and that a star be added to the blue field for each new State coming into the Union.

2 comments:

Jan n Jer said...

Very interesting data about our flag. I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing.

Living Life said...

You sure know your history!!