Skip to Content
HomeAbout this siteHelpSearch this site The Library of Congress
America's Story from America's LibraryMeet Amazing AmericansJump Back in TimeExplore the StatesJoin America at PlaySee, Hear and Sing
Jump Back in Time Modern Era (1946 - present)
 
Living flag, 1911
These children, dressed in different shades of clothing, posed to represent the U.S. flag, becoming a "Living flag" in 1911

Enlarge this image

Listen to:
The U.S. Marine Band play "True to the Flag March" in 1922

RealAudio (streaming)
Wav Format (9.0 MB)
Help With Audio
Credits
Flag Day Celebrated
June 14, 1777

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. He said, "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation." There have been twenty-seven official versions of the flag so far; stars have been added to it as states have entered the Union. The current version dates to July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.
Back page 2 of 3 Next



Library Of Congress | Legal Notices | Privacy | Site Map | Contact Us




CREDIT: "Living Flag, Soldiers' Monument Dedication, May 30, 1911." Copyright 1911. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
AUDIO CREDIT: Blon, Franz von. "True to the flag march / F. von Blon; [performed by] United States Marine Band." Thomas A. Edison, Inc. 1922. Inventing Entertainment: The Motion Pictures and Sound Recordings of the Edison Companies, Library of Congress.