hat on and after May 1, 1795, "the flag of the United States be
fifteen stripes, alternate red and white; and that the union be
fifteen stars, white in a field of blue." These additional stars and
stripes were for the states of Vermont and Kentucky.

The impracticability of adding a stripe for each state was apparent as
other states began to be admitted. Moreover, the flag of fifteen
stripes, it was thought, did not properly represent the Union;
therefore, on April 14, 1818, after a period of twenty-one years in
which the flag of fifteen stripes had been used, Congress passed an
act which finally fixed the general flag of our country, which reads
as follows:

An Act to Establish the Flag of the United States.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted, etc.. That from and after the fourth day of
July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal
stripes, alternate red and white; that the union have twenty stars,
white in a blue field.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that, on the admission of every new
state into the union, one star be added to the union of the flag;
and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July
succeeding such admission.

341 Patriotism and Citizenship

Flag Day

June 14th, the anniversary of the adoption of the flag, is celebrated
as flag day in many of our states.

{341}

In order to show proper respect for the flag, the following rules
should be observed:

It should not be hoisted before sunrise nor allowed to remain up
after sunset.

At "retreat," sunset, civilian spectators should stand at attention
and give the military salute.

When the national colors are passing on parade or review, the
spectators should, if walking, halt, and if sitting, rise and stand
at attention and uncover.

When the flag is flown at half staff as a sign of mourning it should
be hoisted to full staff at the conclusion of the funeral. In
placing the flag at half mast, it should first be hoisted to the top
of the staff and then lowered to position, and preliminary to
lowering from half staff it should first be raised to top.

On Memorial Day, May 30th, the flag should fly at half mast from
sunrise until noon, and full staff from noon to sunset.

(Taken from the "Sons of the Revolution," state of New York.)

The Scout's Pledge to the Flag

"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it
stands; one nation indivisible