Flag Research

The US flag is mentioned in various movies, for example, Captain America. Here the stars and stripes are clearly referenced, but also Captain America's character reflects a true American superhero  

1. ORIGIN: When and where does the US flag originate?
1. I learned that Betsy Ross was the upholsterer who made the first flag, but who designed it first is ultimately unknown. It had been said that Francis Hopkinson was the first to design the flag because of a bill that was submitted to Congress by him that said for designing the flag. This evidence suggests that he designed it, but there is no picture, written description, or a sketch of the flag. The "first" flag was made in Philidelphia in 1776. 
2. EVOLUTION: When and why has it evolved? Note eras of significant and permanent changes. Note the lack of any big change, if you find that's the case.
1. I learned that the "new" American flag came about June 14, 1777, when Congress passed the first three major flag acts. This flag had 13 alternating red and white stripes with 13 stars on a blue field. There were no specifications on which way the stripes should be placed, horizontal or vertical, where the field was to be placed, what pattern the stars were to be arranged, and how many points the stars had. The star pattern was not specified until 1912. In 1792 two new states were added and it raised questions about the flag and what to do, thus the second flag act was passed. The act stated that for each new state another stripe and star would be added. The flag with 15 stars and stripes was known as The Star Spangled Banner. After 1812 more states were being added, which meant more stars and stripes. In 1818 Congress passed the third major flag act. It stated that the design of the flag would revert back to the 13 alternating stripes but continue to add one star for each new state. In 1912 President Taft established the star pattern we know today.
3. DESIGN ELEMENTS / CHOICES: What factors have shaped the look of the flag, including the shape, colors, and arrangements of stars, stripes, red, white, blue, etc.? Is there a history and purpose to these graphic design choices.
1. I leared when George Washington left the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, he took with him "The Continental" which had 13 alternating red and white stripes, which signified the 13 colonies. This flag did not have the stars, instead, it had the Union Jack. This flag meant that we were fighting for the 13 united colonies under Britain Rule. The flag made in June of 1777 had 13 alternating stripes and 13 stars. Though many of the other factors like the arrangments of the stars, how many points on the stars, and how the flag should be displayed were still unknown. The first use of the star pattern found on the flag today was from the Washington's Headquarters Flag. The first flag has been referred to as "The Betsy Ross", the star pattern has been referred to as the Betsy Ross Pattern, The Philadelphia Pattern, and The Single Wreath Pattern. The blue field has been referred to as the field, the union, and the canton. 
4. MEANING: 
1. For what is the flag a symbol? Does consensus about the meaning of the flag appears to be fairly widespread? How can you tell? Does it seem to be widely understood as a positive symbol of national unity?
1. The flag is a symbol of the United States' democracy, justice, and freedom. It also commemorates those who have sacrificed their lives to defend the United States of America. I found overall that the flag appears to be understood as a positive symbol. I even found a website from the National Museum of American History that explained a project called the "Share Your Story", where people have stated what the flag means to them, whether it be a sing of freedom, loyalty, or pride. 
2. What are the flag's nicknames? What can you learn about where those nicknames originate in our culture?
1. I found that the flag has been known by multiple names, "Old Glory", "The Star-Spangled Banner", and "The Stars and Stripes". The flag with 15 stars and stripes was known as The Star Spangled Banner. This flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write our national anthem. Old Glory was the US flag of sea captain William Driver. This flag has become a great symbol of Union loyalty.
3. What can you learn about the flag in popular music? Consider songs, genres, album covers, and lyrics.
1. According to my research country has been seen as one of the most patriotic genres of music. Many songs reference the flag or have lyrics that are about America, the troops that have fought/are fighting, and about the stars and stripes.
5. HABITS/USE: What evidence suggests that the flag is generally understood, within our culture, as something that is worthy of respect and more careful treatment than you might otherwise provide to a piece of fabric?
1. While I was researching I found that the flag in many cases represents patriotism which can be seen in various war movies in their covers like in Patton 1970, in art such as the painting of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze, and obviously flagpoles notably the flagpole of the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. The flag is seen through culture in various forms, but ultimately the meaning is the same no matter where you see it.
6. CONTROVERSY: Can you find any evidence to suggest that the flag itself is controversial? Or do there just seem to be ways of using it that are controversial? 
1. For the most part, I found that the flag is respected and used for "good". There are ways that people abused the flag such as burning, dragging, cutting, spitting, and sometimes displaying the flag in the wrong fashion. All these things done to a flag can be seen as disrespectful, but sometimes people abuse the flag in protest against something.   

History of the American Flag written by Terry Ruggles This website cleared up some of the "myths" that have come with the flag, like Did Betsy Ross truly design the first flag? It provided me information of where the different parts of the flag are said to have originated from.
The Mysterious Origins of the American Flag This website told me the story of how the flag, with its stars and stripes, came to be. It confirmed the information that I had researched previously.
State Symbols USA, The Flag of the USA This website simply named names that the US flag is referred to. It also explains the symbolism of the stars, stripes, and colors.
What the American Flag Means to You by Dana Allen-Greil, from the National Museum of American History This website gave me an insight of what people believe the flag means, and what it means to them.
How the Flag Came to be Called Old Glory, from Smithsonian.com This website educated me on one of the names the flag has been referred to, Old Glory. It told me the history of the Old Glory flag owned by William Driver.
The American Flag in Popular Culture This website touched on the flag in relationship to culture. It pointed out movies references, statues, and art.
Country songs Honoring the Flag This website talked about five countries songs that reference the flag. It showed me that country is one of the most patriotic genres of music.