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source which i obtain the symbolisim of the colors of the American flag...

Originally Posted by ESNS

I AM PREPARING A TALK FOR FEBRUARY AND I DO NOT REMEMBER THE SOURCE WHICH I
OBTAIN THE SYMBOLISIM OF THE COLORS. iN MY NOTES I HAVE WRITTEN WHITE FOR
LIBERTY RED FOR COURAGE AND BLUE FOR LOYALTY. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHICH
I SHOULD USE. ALSO IF YOU HAVE ANY WEB SITES ON THE HISTORY OF THE FLAG I
WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SENDING THOSE TO ME. THANK YOU SO MUCH

As you prepare for your presentation, I suggest accessing the following websites: Betsy Ross Homepage (hosted by the Independence Hall Association), www.usa-flag-site.org, Founding Fathers,

According to www.usa-flag-site.org, "Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice." USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America confirms that statement, ""The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

Best of luck to you as you prepare for your presentation!

The US Flag was adopted without any designation of meaning on the colors. No official recognition for symbolism of the colors of the US Flag have been adopted. The color representations as described are actually for the colors of the emblem found on the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States. More detail: The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for the Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

Simply because a common belief exists does not make the belief true...

Peace.

[Peter Ansoff]

Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

This explanation of the colors in the Seal of the United States appears frequently in books and web sites related to the flag. It was not actually written by Charles Thomson (sic), but by William Barton, who served as a consultant to the committee that designed the Seal. Thomson repeated the language in his offical report to Congress, but the original words are Barton's.

Or are they? It appears that Barton's statements about the meaning of the colors were drawn more-or-less directly from an 18th century book called "Elements of Heraldry," with which both Barton and Thomson were familiar. In other words, the meanings of the colors that Barton proposed were not particular to the American Seal (or flag) but were considered to be general heraldic usage.

Although Barton created the final version of the Seal, it was Thomson who came up with the basic design of the displayed eagle with the shield on its breast. For obvious reasons, the final report to to Congress carefully specified that it was an "American bald Eagle," as opposed to the imperial eagles used by European monarchs. It's thanks to Thomson the eagle became a universally-recognized symbol of the United States.

Peter Ansoff