The national flag of the United States of America is a symbol of strength, unity, and freedom. The flag is often referred to as the stars and stripes or old glory. The national flag has been an inspiration for millions of people over a period of about 230 years.

Today, the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes; of the thirteen stripes, there are seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original thirteen colonies; the stars represent the fifty states. The color red symbolizes hardness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and the blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

The U.S. has State flags for each of the fifty States. There is a separate flag for District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. There is also another flag for Puerto Rico, a commonwealth associated with the U.S. Apart from all of the aforementioned flags, there is the United States service flag, the U.S. Army Flag, U.S. Marine Corps Flag, U.S. Navy Flag, and flags of various organizations and institutions.

The U.S. flag that is of the utmost importance is the national flag, to which the greatest respect should be paid. No other flag can be flown above the national flag.

It was Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Philadelphia, who made the first U.S. flag in 1777. The famous name old glory was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831.

It is imperative that no one show disrespect to the national flag. The national flag should never be dipped or lowered to any person or thing. However, Regimental colors, State flags, and organizational or institutional flags should be dipped as a mark of honor.

The stars and stripes have changed in numbers and their order of placement, but these bestow on millions of people the inspiration, strength, and courage to fight for unity, freedom and justice.