American Flag History for Kids

American Flag History for Kids, unlikely as it seems, is a popular search term and it just screamed out for a poem to be written. The job befell me, though I don't claim to be a vexillologist. But first here's the first stanza of the US National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner (meaning star covered banner)

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early lightWhat so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?Here's another little ditty, from where I know notI love my flag, my country's flagThe red and white and blue.It has broad stripes and fifty stars,And stands for freedom, too.

Now here's me poemThe flag of the United StatesIs red, white and blueIt has 13 stripes and 50 starsBut this wasn't always trueFor its first year as a NationUSA had no flag at allThen it got one with 13 starsSet out in a circle, like a ball

The first official national flagAccording to the storyWas approved on June 14, 1777And nicknamed “Old Glory”The claim of Betsy Ross is that sheMade, with her own hands, the first flagIf that is true, and it seems to beShe was entitled to brag

In 1795, the number of stars and stripes

Was increased by twoVermont and Kentucky joined the unionAnd wanted to be given their dueWhen more joined, the stars increasedBut the stripes reduced backTo represent the 13 coloniesThat gave Britain the sackTwo overseas states, Hawaii and AlaskaWere added from afarsSo now the Stars and StripesHas a total of 50 starsJon Bratton 2009Here's another..the lyrics to a songSaid Washington to Betsy Ross, "A flag our nation needsTo lead our valiant soldiers on to high and noble deedsNow can you make one for us, to which she made reply,"I am not certain if I can; At least I'll gladly try."Chorus:So she took some red for the blood they shedSome white for purity,Some stars so bright from the sky overheadSome blue for loyalty,And sewed them all together,For loyal hearts and true,And hand in hand as one we standFor the red, the white and the blue.Said Betsy Ross to Washington, "Your country's flag behold!"And through his tear-dimmed eyes he saw the stars and stripes unfold.Then to his breast he clasped it, and looked to heaven above."Oh may it ever stand," he cried, "For rights and truth and love."Finally, here's a lovely pieceA Toast to the Flag" by John Jay Daly, c.1918

Here's to the red of it;There's not a thread of it —No nor a shred of it —In all the spread of it,From foot to head,But heroes bled for it,Faced steel and lead for it —Precious blood shed for it,Bathing it red.Here's to the white of it;Thrilled by the sight of it,Who knows the right of itBut has felt the might of itThrough day and night?Womanhood's care for itMade manhood dare for it;Purity's prayer for itKept it so whiteHere's to the blue of it,Heavenly view of it,Star spangled hue of it,Honesty's due of it,Constant and true;Here's to the whole of it —Stars, stripes and pole of it —Here's to the soul of it,Red white and blue.

If you want to know more, click the linkAmerican Flag History for KidsThis 'American Flag History for Kids' blog page is copyright Jon Bratton 2009. The poem may be used for non commercial purposes