From the editor: A symbol that endures

The American flag waves in countless places across this nation every day — from suburban front porches to military bases.

Yet for its abundance, the flag remains one of the most emotionally-charged symbols of our nation.

What makes the flag remarkable is its capacity to survive our imperfections.

It has flown over moments of breathtaking moral courage and over chapters we’d rather forget.

The flag’s meaning has never been static; for example, during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War it meant two very different things.

The flag does not represent a perfect nation, but the ongoing livelihood of self-governance and human dignity.

The flag’s true power lies in its aspiration — a reflection of the reason for which it was created — what could be.

Reflecting history

Back in the 1700s, the original American colonies operated under British flags, using different designs.

Following the American Revolution, the Grand Union Flag served as America’s first national flag from 1775 to 1777.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, establishing the basic design that would define American flags.

But, while the act stated the colors and numbers of stars and stripes, it did not dictate where the stars and stripes were to be placed, which led to various designs among the colonies.

The most famous story surrounding the creation of the first American flag involves Betsy Ross — a Philadelphia seamstress.

According to the account, George Washington visited Ross in May or June of 1776, asking her to create a flag based on their design, which she tweaked to make the final product.

Over the years, the nation endured more conflict, and states were added as the flag became increasingly more important to The People.

Segregated communities began reaching toward each other to become one country, one flag.

While the future brought about further conflict from within and outside of its borders, at the end of the day when the flag was raised, the nation became whole again.

The history of the American flag mirrors the history of the United States itself — a story of evolution, struggle and the continuous effort to form a more perfect union.