A flag is much more than a piece of fabric attached to a pole. Whether you call it a flag, banner, ensign, standard, colors, or symbol, it is an object that shows loyalty to a leader, a group, or a country. A flag is a device to determine friend from foe. It is a symbol of national identity. Each country’s flag is uniquely designed to stand for the nation’s land, its people, its government, and its ideals. A country’s flag can incite pride, joy, courage, and sacrifice. The American flag is one of the most recognized flags in the world.
In America, the flag is a fixture of everyday life. We fly it from our businesses, homes, and public buildings. It is used in politics, media, advertising, and even our clothing. As Americans we treat our flag with respect, pride, awe, and occasional irreverence. The meaning of the American Flag is personal to each of us, and is often influenced by when we grew up, where we grew up, and even how we grew up. The flag can be used to express patriotic pride, or waving in protest, the flag can signify the freedom to disagree.
The flag stands for our past, our present, and our future. It represents our principles, our freedoms, and our opportunities. It honors our heritage, our diversity, and our unity. Our flag is a symbol of everything that is America. But how did it get to be what it is? Come down to the Old Courthouse Museum and discover how the American Flag has evolved throughout history.