Kidz Zone

Donald Kyle is the Children's Editor for The TowneLaker. He will be in the third grade at Bascomb Elementary in the 2002/2003 school year. Donald is also the son of Gina Carr and Don Kyle.

The American Flag
Our Symbol
of Freedom
and Liberty

The Fourth of July is a day when we celebrate our country's freedom! We have parades, barbecues and watch fireworks. Many of us also fly our flag, if not every day, at least on the Fourth of July. I thought you might be interested in learning a little bit about the history of the American Flag. I thought it was pretty cool!

The design of our flag was made up from designs used for flags at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Here are some of the designs of the American flag:

Early 1700's The New England pine tree flag was used for almost 90 years, including being flown at the famous Battle of Bunker Hill.

1775 George Washington's army flew "The Continental Colors" flag that had the British Union Jack and the stripes of liberty.

1776 A naval flag that was used in 1776 had two symbols of liberty: stripes and a rattlesnake.

1777 Congress said that the American flag should have 13 alternating red and white stripes with 13 white stars in a blue field.

1794 After Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union, Congress added two stars and two stripes.

1818 When five more states had joined, Congress changed the design to 13 stripes, representing the original 13 states, and 20 stars, saying that an additional star should be added when states were added to the Union.

1959 Robert G. Heft designed the 50-state American flag and has already designed one with 51 stars in case the United States adds another state to the Union.

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!

For a free flag you can print from your computer, ask your parents if you can visit www.graphicpod.com/americanflag.html.