There’s a common misperception that the battle flag was also the national flag. The truth is that it wasn’t even the primary battle flag. What we currently recognize as the Confederate flag is actually one of about a hundred and eighty different flags carried into battle on the southern side during the Civil War. Not only that, but the national flag of the confederacy changed several times, too. There were three different flags used by the Confederacy during this period. Some of the Confederate flags looked like the familiar Southern Cross. Others bore very little resemblance to it.

Display of the Confederate flag is a highly controversial issue for many people - it’s hard to get anyone to agree on exactly what it stands for. When flown, some will see it as an overt form of support for the organizations and racist practices that dominated the south for much of its history. However, other people will see the same flag as a sign of regional pride and acknowledgment of their past. Some, mostly outside the US, even use it as a general symbol of rebellion, divorced from the Civil War entirely.

Because of this mixed symbolism, displaying the Confederate flag at a sporting event, on a public building, or as part of a state flag is a big deal. This flag is very politically charged, and some people even see it as an attack. That’s why legislatures in the south have been struggling with the problem of the Confederate flag for almost twenty years now.

Many states still display this flag in some locations and on particular locations. It’s a good idea to remember that display of the Confederate flag, while politically charged, isn’t always a direct statement about race.

Display of the Confederate flag is, for many, a personal point of pride. That means that many displays of the flag aren’t done out of a racist motivation. There are some that do mean this, however, and if you’re thinking about displaying this flag, you should keep that in mind.

There’s a long history behind the Confederate flag, and it’s a point of pride for lots of people. That makes it a bad idea to dismiss it as merely a symbol of racism. This flag means a great deal to a large number of people. However, you should remember that there are lots of negative associations that go with this flag. No matter how you feel about it, everyone has a strong reaction.

The Confederate battle flag has a long history, and is still looked on with pride by many. That means that it shouldn’t be dismissed as a banner of racism. It’s a popular symbol that means a lot to many people. Just remember that there are negative associations, too, and that almost everyone reacts strongly to it when it’s on display.

The US Flag Shows Your Colors- Red, White and True Blue

From Betsy Ross’ first efforts to sew an emblem of a new nation, to the Star Spangled Banner flown in the War of 1812 that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem that would become our national anthem, to the stars and stripes that were hoisted amid the wreckage of the World Trade Center after September 11, the U.S. flag represents the principles, the hope, and the perseverance of the United States and of the American people.

Individuals and businesses purchase U.S. Flags to demonstrate their patriotism and their support for our country and for the men and women who serve in our armed forces. Yet, because most people buy very few U.S. flags over the course of their lifetimes, it’s sometimes difficult to know what kind of U.S. flag to buy, or which flag would be most appropriate for the use you have in mind. Here, then, are some pointers:

Materials for Outdoor U.S. Flags

The four most popular brands of U.S. flags are Dura-Lite, Bulldog, Champion, and Endurance. Dura-Lite U.S. flags are known for their durable nylon fabrication, rich colors, versatility, and sewn stripes. Bulldog flags are made from high quality cotton, and feature embroidered stars and sewn stripes. Champion flags are constructed from durable polyester, and are known for withstanding the elements - like moisture, wind, and sun. These extra rugged flags are typically employed for institutional uses, and feature either sewn or embroidered stars and sewn stripes. Endurance flags are made from rugged mesh nylon with appliqued stars and sewn stripes. The mesh reduces wind resistance, giving the flag a very long life, while its light weight gives it extraordinary flying ability.

What Size is Right?

When you purchase U.S. flags, the size of the flag is largely dependent upon the size of the flagpole. A 15-foot flagpole, for example, would fly a flag no larger than about 2-1/2 feet by 4 feet. A 30-foot flag pole would fly a U.S. flag about 5 feet by 8 feet, and a 40-foot flag pole would fly a flag about 8 feet by 12 feet.

Flying the U.S. Flag at Home

Most people don’t have flagpoles in their front yards, and so opt for U.S. flag residential mounts. There are several options available. One is an aluminum flagpole that measures five feet by one inch and that is recommended for flags that are either 2 feet by 3 feet or 3 feet by 5 feet. You can also purchase pole sets that have a heavy-duty two-position mounting bracket and 1-1/2-inch aluminum pole. Some pole sets come with a decorative eagle, poles that extend up to 6 feet, and a pewter finish.

If you don’t wish to use a bracket and pole, you can certainly display your U.S. flag on your balcony, windowsill, or against the wall. When you do so, proper flag etiquette dictates that the flag is displayed flat, either horizontally or vertically, with the stars displayed on the flag’s own right. This means that, when you’re standing in front of the flag, the star area (also called the union) should be to your left.

The US flag is a wonderful symbol of the liberties and principles that we hold dear, and those who purchase U.S. flags are always encouraged to proudly display the stars and stripes.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about How to Purchase U.S. Flags or Majon’s Shopping - General directory.

Flag Day and Its History

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress in Philadelphia passed a resolution which specified that the new country’s flag would have 13 stripes and 13 stars. The red represented valor, the white purity and the blue justice. An Act of Congress designating June 14 as Flag Day each year wasn’t passed until 1949. What transpired between these two dates?

In 1877, 100 years after the flag was adopted, Congress asked all public buildings to fly the flag on June 14 to commemorate that anniversary. They did, but it was a one-time thing, not something to be observed annually.

A Wisconsin schoolteacher, B.J. Cigrand, had his students celebrate June 14, 1885 as Flag Birthday. Four years later, a New York City kindergarten teacher, George Balch, planned a celebration of the flag with his students on June 14.

July 14, 1891 saw a Flag Day celebration at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia and the next year, the Sons of the Revolution of New York celebrated Flag Day.

In April, 1893, the Colonial Dames of America adopted a resolution asking the mayor of Philadelphia and all its citizens to diplay the flag on Flag Day, June 14. The Superintendant of Public Schools in Philadelphia proclaimed that June 14 would be known as Flag Day and that all school children in the city would assemble for exercises. Each child received a small flag.

The governor of New York directed in 1894 that each year on June 14 all public buildings would display the American flag.

In 1916, a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as a day to celebrate the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1877. Finally, on August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress directing that National Flag Day would be observed every year on June 14.

Since that time, flags have been flown on June 14 at public buildings and homes throughout the nation.

Pat McCarthy is an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and the author of over a dozen books for children. Learn more about her books at her blog, http://www.PatMcCarthysAuthorBlog.blogspot.com

If you have a question about writing for children, e-mail Pat at patmcbirder@woh.rr.com More resources for children’s writers will soon be up on the blog.

New Years: New Year’s flags are getting more popular, and tend to be mostly party oriented. Some can be reused year after year, but others have the date printed or sewn on them. You may also see patriotic New Year’s flags, featuring the Stars and Stripes in various arrangements. You can order custom flags and choose from many sizes and colors. For other cultures that don’t celebrate the traditional January 1st New Year, there are still New Year’s flags. Chinese New Year flags and ones for other cultures are also available.

Valentine’s Day: In February, you’ll be able to fly sweet Valentine’s Day designs. Once thought to be the first day of the mating season for birds, Valentine’s Day has associations with love and romance, and so do its flags. Choose from classic hearts, arrows, Cupids, balloons and roses. If you’re not feeling in the Valentine’s Day spirit, think about a broken heart flag. These flags are flown just about everywhere, from parties and restaurants to at home.

St. Patrick’s Day: Fly the green on St. Patrick’s day. Choose from lots of different flags that people associate with Ireland, from its national flag to shamrocks, rainbows, leprechauns and pots of gold. You’ll see these in parades, in people’s houses, and in bars and pubs serving green beer.

Easter: Another popular choice are Easter flags, whether they’re secular or religious. You’ll see rabbits and chicks, Easter eggs, lilies, spring items and other symbols on flags. These are fun flags to display at kids’ parties, or just because you’re happy to see Spring. For those who prefer a strong religious statement, crosses and other more traditional Easter symbols are also available for display. They’ll remind passers by that Easter isn’t just about chocolate.

Fourth of July: For the Fourth of July, the American flag is an old standby, but that’s not the only one that people fly. There are historical American flags, flags with fireworks, and others with other patriotic designs. Fly them proudly to celebrate Independence Day.

Thanksgiving: There are more Thanksgiving flags out these days, too. You’ll see them indoors and on people’s homes, with designs like the Mayflower and first settlers, fall leaves, cornucopias, turkeys, scarecrows and more. These flags fly during parades, or just during a good family meal.

Christmas: Christmas is a season for flags, too. Like Easter, it’s developed its own secular symbols, in addition to the religious ones. That means you’ll see crosses and nativity flags, as well as holly and ivy. You may see Christmas tree flags, candy cane flags, Santa and his reindeer, snowmen, Christmas lights, and lots more.

For that era, she had a long life, dying at age 84. She had been a business woman, skilled in many crafts, which led to her choice to sew the first american flag. Read on for an interesting account of Betsy Ross’s unusual life.

Three Mysteries Surround Betsy Ross

Do you know what the mysteries are that surround Betsy Ross? How many times was she married? How many children did she have? How many times was she buried? If you have answered yes or no, read on.

What are the mysteries that surround Betsy Ross?

Elizabeth Griscom was born on January 1, 1752. She was born the eighth of seventeen children sixteen girls and one boy. She was called Betsy. Her family were Quakers. Her parents were Samuel and Rebecca Griscom. Her father was a master carpenter.

Betsy went to school at a Quaker School. She learned reading, writing, arithmetic and sewing. After leaving school Betsy undertook an apprenticeship in upholstery, this is where she met and fell in love with John Ross. She learned to repair chairs, curtains, rugs umbrellas and to make flags.

Betsy and John eloped. Her parents did not approve of John since he was not a Quaker and Betsy was, “read out.” This means she was severed from her parents, her large family and the Quaker Community.

The couple returned to Philadelphia to start their own upholstery business in 1774. Betsy and John attended Christ Church and sat next to George Washington’s family. Betsy and John were married three years when John died in 1776 guarding an ammunition site during the Revolutionary War.

Betsy now widowed and alone inherited land. She continued to work at her upholstery business. Business was hard because of the Revolutionary war and material was hard to come by.

In the summer of 1776 Betsy met with the committee of three General, George Washington, George Ross, and Robert Morris. This led to the sewing of the first historical flag. Thirteen stars in a circle and thirteen strips. General, George Washington was very specific. He said, “I want the stars in a circle to represent the thirteen colonies. I do not want any of the colonies names above the others.”

In 1777 Betsy wed a sea captain Joseph Ashborn. They had two daughters one died in youth. Caption Ashborn was captured and died in prison.

In 1777 Betsy’s home was seized by the British Army during the historic winter at Valley Forge. Betsy was a strong supporter of the Militia.

Widowed again Betsy remarried an old friend John Claypoole, They had 5 daughters. John died in 1800 of a stroke.He had been bedridden for 17 years.

94 years later the story of the making of the first flag was told by Betsy’s grandson in 1780 William J. Canby at the meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. The speech was printed in the Harper Weekly.

The only fact which was found after extensive research is this The State Navy Board Pennsylvania for May 29, 1777, an order on William Webb to Elizabeth Ross for fourteen pounds twelve shillings, and two pence for making ship’s colors, & c put into Richard’s store. Betsy made ship’s colors for Pennsylvania state ships.

There is not any other documentation available.

Not only does mystery surround Betsy about the making of the first flag - but in her death.

Betsy died in Philadelphia at age 84 completely blind. Her house is located at 239 Arch street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania it isa popular tourist attraction.

Not only was Betsy married and widowed three times - she was buried three times. Betsy Ross was first buried at the Free Quaker burial ground on South 5th street. 20 years later her remains were exhumed and reburied in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia in the family gravesite. In the preparation of the United States Bicentennial the city ordered her remains to be moved to the Betsy Ross house in 1975. However, workers did not find any remains under her tombstone. Bones found elsewhere and unidentified were declared hers and re- buried in her grave at the Betsy Ross home.

Whose bones are in Betsy Ross’s grave. Hers, or another family member?

In 1909 a book was written by George Canby and nephew Lloyd Balderson. The book is titled, The Evolution of the American Flag. It gave positive information about Betsy making the first flag as was told to her family by Betsy.

A painting by Charles H. Weisgerber was printed into the book called, Birth Of Our Nations Flag. It showed Betsy and her granddaughters presenting the flag to General George Washington and others. This book became an instant sensation. The picture was printed in all the school text books in the United States.

A fund was started by school children to contribute ten cents each until they reach two million dollars to purchase and renovate the Betsy Ross house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Historians do not believe the house is the Betsy Ross house. But once again records were not available.

Is the house really Betsy Ross’s house?

The question is why did the public believe Betsy Ross did indeed make the first flag?

(1) The Speech her grandson made at the Historical Sociiety of Pennsylvania.

(2) The book, The Evolution of the American Flag.

(3) Married 3 times and widowed two times during the Revolutionary War.

(4) Owned and managed her own land.

(5) Single mother.

(6) Business woman.

(7) Using Betsy’s name in advertising was big business for selling flags and other items.

(8) Managed her own household.

(9) Member of the “Fighting Quakers.”

(10) Made American Flags for 50 years.

(11) The public loved the idea of a woman being a hero.

Does it really matter if Betsy Ross sewed the first flag? She was a gutsy lady. Way before her time. She proved her patriotism many times over and mystery still surrounds her life.

Thank you for reading my article. Please feel free to read any of the numerous articles I have written on several different subjects.

Copyright Linda E. Meckler 2008

Linda is the author of her first published book, “Ghost Kids Trilogy. “Christy, 12 and her Brother Brad, 16 moves into an old house on top of a mountain and meet two Ghost Kids.

Then we have a mysterious, magical Blue Vase where Uncle Charlie the villain is trapped. He wants out of the Blue Vase and exchange he will tell Christy and Brad where Pirates’ Treasure is Hidden.

Take a walk with Christy and Brad down a dark hall hunting for Pirates” Treasure. You will think were you there right there with them.

Love, Family Values and Charity burst off the pages. http://www.lmeckler.com

Check out my new 4 E books Titled:

How To Appeal Medical Bills

Appeal and Collections Letters for Medical Providers

Boost Your Self Esteem and Blossom

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Decorate to Celebrate With Garden Flags and Banners

Flags, banners and windsocks bring in a festive look. We tend to use decorative garden banners and flags outside the home. A pole is fixed to the house and this goes through the sleeve at the top of the banner which hangs down vertically. Flags, on the other hand hang on a conventional flagpole to represent your colors. Of course, there is no particular restriction that flags and banners must only be hung outside the house. Banners are larger than garden flags.

Garden flags are used on any occasion both inside and outside the house. Inside, they are hung as wall decorations. The most common places where we see large and mini garden flags are below the mailbox, along the driveway of the house, on the patio, porch or deck and the lawn. Often, flags are put up when a favorite sport is on, to support your favorite team or to celebrate a national holiday with the American flag. There are a variety of styles, colors and sizes in garden flag.

A mini garden flag can go up the regular way on a stand. You can also fix them to your car window or the windows of your home with the help of suction cups.

In addition to decorative garden banners and flags, windsocks or wind spinners are also used as decorations. Windsocks are like wind chimes that do not make any sound and can be as long as forty feet. These are hung from trees or from the side of the house and are usually cylindrical in appearance. Windsocks can also be hung on the same pole as your banner, if you have one. They have tassels at the end that cheerfully blow in the breeze. Windsocks can also come in different fun shapes such as animals and yes, they make great gifts too.

Garden flags can also be used to make wedding announcements, baby arrival news, and a whole lot of other special occasion messages. Some people just put their monogram on the house and garden flags. By putting up these flags or banners, you can add color to your home. They can be displayed the year around be it summer or winter.

Since banners and flags come in various sizes it is better to first measure the area in which you intend to place them before you buy them. Make sure that they are not too close to your outdoor cooking equipment, fireplace or bbq.

Interestingly, heat sublimation, silk screening or applique processes are used to make banners and garden flags. With heat sublimate flags, an artist drawing is printed with sublimation inks that permeate the fabric of the flag in such a way that it looks just like the original artist work. These kinds of flags look beautiful. The silk screened flags print the design on the surface of the fabric. Usually the heat sublimation and silk screened flags show only on one side of the flag. The appliqued flags are constructed by appliqueing several pieces of a picture together with a zig zag stitch and you can see the design on both sides of the flag.

You will need flagpoles and other display equipment to show off your flags and banners. You can either fix them to the sides of the house or drive them into the ground depending on the space available. Many people prefer to display their garden flags on a stand alone pole. Window hangers are handy for those who do not have the luxury of a porch or garden.

Flags and banners can be used over and over when you look after them. Since the ones hung outside can fade over time, applying a coat of scotch guard can leave them looking new for a longer time. Some people prefer to hang them out only on occasion and at other times, just wash and preserve them for the next time when they will need them.

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products. Visit the Market Merchants website: http://marketmerchants.com