ia,
Pa., had the honor of making the first flag for the new republic. The
little house where she lived is still standing, and preserved as a
memorial. This flag contained the thirteen stripes as at present, but
the stars were arranged in a circle. This arrangement was later
changed to horizontal lines, and the flag continued to have thirteen
stars and thirteen stripes until 1795. When Vermont and Kentucky were
added to the Union, two more stripes, as well as two more stars, were
added. In 1817, it was seen that it would not be practicable to add a
new stripe for each new state admitted to the Union, so after
deliberation, Congress, in 1818, passed the following Act:

"An Act to establish the flag of the United States.

"Sec. 1. That from and after the 4th 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 4th of July next
succeeding such admission."

Since the passing of this Act, star after star has been added to the
blue field until it now contains forty-eight, each one representing a
staunch and loyal adherent.

Boy Scouts Pledge to the Flag

"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it
stands; one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Flag, by Homer Greene

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