We're probably all familiar with the American Flag. The great "Stars and Stripes", "Old Glory", or "The Star Spangled Banner". It has many names, but what do the symbols on the flag represent? Click through the slideshow to learn more about the American Flag, or check out the full post on our blog here: https://goo.gl/iB9KXA Looking for a durable spinning flag pole? We got you covered. https://goo.gl/xqvpTh

1. Symbolism of the
American Flag Defined

2. With Independence Day right
around the corner, millions of
patriotic Americans are
purchasing flags to show their
support and celebrate this
nationally recognized holiday.

3. If you truly want to celebrate our
nation’s independence, however,
you need to first familiarize yourself
with the symbolism behind the
American flag, as this plays a key
role in its meaning and purpose.

4. Red, White and Blue

5. These three colors have long
been associated with the United
States and its respective flag, yet
few people know the symbolism
and meaning behind them.

6. So, what do these colors
symbolize? White symbolizes
purity and innocence; red
symbolizes strength and valor;
and blue symbolizes vigilance,
perseverance and justice.

7. Of course, these characteristics
are aligned closely with the
values of America, which is why
they are represented in the colors
of the American flag.

8. Stripes

9. The modern-day American flag
possesses 13 stripes of
alternating red and white color.

10. Like every other element on the
American flag, there’s deep
meaning behind these stripes.

11. When America gained its
independence from Great
Britain, it had 13 colonies:

12. Delaware, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut,
Massachusetts Bay, Maryland,
South Carolina, New Hampshire,
Virginia, New York, North Carolina,
and Rhode Island and Providence
Plantation.

13. The 13 stripes found on the
American flag represent
each of these 13 colonies.

14. Stars

15. As you may already know, the
50 stars on the American flag
represent the 50 states of the
United States of America.

16. This hasn’t always been the
case, though. The American
flag had fewer stars more than
a century ago, during which it
had fewer states.

17. In 1912, the number of stars
on the American flag grew to
48, thanks to the addition of
New Mexico and Arizona.

18. This remained the country’s
official flag for the next 47 years,
making it the country’s longest
running flag in its history.

19. It wasn’t until August 21, 1959
when President Eisenhower
ordered the American flag to
be updated with 50 stars.

20. Since then, the American flag has
remained with 50 bold stars
neatly arranged in the upper left-
hand corner, with one star for
each of its 50 states.

21. In addition to representing the
50 states, the 50 stars on the
American flag also represents
a “divine goal.”

22. In 1977, the House of Representatives
published a book in which it described the
American flag’s stars as being a “symbol of
the heavens and the divine goal to which
man has aspired from time immemorial;
the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light
emanating from the sun.”

23. For more about the Symbolism of
the American Flag, or information
about our flags, flag poles, and
hardware, visit
starspangledflags.com