[EmailPoster]

Why are the stripes on the us flag red and white?...

Originally Posted by leos

Why are the stripes on the US Flag red and white?

Which stripe, red or white, comes first on the flag, and
why?

Many thanks,

Leo Stemp

Originally Posted by EmailPoster

Why are the stripes on the us flag red and white?...

The U.S. flag consists of 13 stripes, representing the 13 original colonies. Seven of these stripes are red, six are white. U.S. flags always start at the top with a red stripe, followed by white stripe. The colors alternate, ending with a red stripe at the bottom of the flag.

The reason stripes were chosen is open to some debate. But many historians believe that it was inspired by George Washington's Coat of Arms, which featured red and white stripes. Washington's army was the first to fly the "grand union flag." A precursor to our current flag, and the first to feature the red and white stripes. However, rather than stars in the upper left-hand corner, this flag featured a version of the British flag (the "Union Jack") in that corner.

Anyway, I hope that helped.