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About LinkBacksWhat was the inspiration that led to the decision to use the colors red, white and blue?
Was it from the Dutch or French flags?
Junior Member
From Whence the Decision To Use Red, White and Blue?
What was the inspiration that led to the decision to use the colors red, white and blue?
Was it from the Dutch or French flags?
USA Flag Site Admin
Re: From Whence the Decision To Use Red, White and Blue?
Hello, Tom!
This subject has been discussed in several earlier threads, including this one:
Why are the stripes red
The short answer is that they probably came from the British flag. The US flag was a modification of the "Continental Colors", which, in turn, probably evolved from the British red ensign.
Peter Ansoff
"We live by symbols, and what shall be symbolized by any image of the sight depends upon the mind of him who sees it."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
Junior Member
Re: From Whence the Decision To Use Red, White and Blue?
What do the stripes on the flag stand for?
Senior Member
Re: From Whence the Decision To Use Red, White and Blue?
Originally Posted by uglybill
The thirteen stripes represent the 13 original states.
Why stripes?
Why not?
The flag of the USA was one of the earliest flags to represent political subdivisions on a national flag. Indeed, the US flag was arguably the very first "national flag" as it represented a nation rather than a monarchy (the flag of Denmark is older, but the Danebrog was the flag of the Kingdom of Denmark, not the "nation" as we know it today.) The Union Flag of the United Kingdom represented England and Scotland by combining two distinct crosses. And that flag, commonly called the "Union Jack" is only the "national flag" of the United Kingdom by tradition and by permission, not by law.
For more info on the US flag's design elements, see Peter Ansoff's link in his March 27 post.
Nick A
Columbia MD
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