Flag Day 2021: New Jersey’s connection to the Stars and Stripes – NorthJersey.com

Carl J. Asszony, Special to the USA TODAY Network Published 4:00 a.m. ET June 11, 2021

Flag Day at GWB. NorthJersey.com

Although not a federal holiday, Flag Day, June 14, is the day that commemorates the Continental Congress' adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14,1777. Since that time the flag has been an active part of Americas history. The newly created American flag would become the nations symbol of liberty and carried the message of freedom around the world.

How did it all happen?

The idea of Betsey Ross being the designer and maker of the first American flag is now considered by most historians to be the stuff of legend. Mostly forgotten is a gentleman from New Jersey who designed the banner adopted as the American flag by Congress in 1777.

There seems to be ample evidence that Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as adelegate from New Jersey, actually designed the American flag t. The new flag consisted of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; with thirteen stars, white in a blue field, each star representing a new state.

The world's largest free flying flag hangs from the New Jersey Tower of the George Washington Bridge on Flag Day Friday June 14, 2019 in Fort Lee, N.J. (Photo: Tariq Zehawi/NorthJersey.com)

Hopkinson, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would later move to Bordentown, New Jersey, where he married, practiced law and became a member of Congress. He was a man of many skills he was a writer, poet, lawyer, composer, politician, businessman as well as the designer of the New Jersey state seal and the seal of the U.S. Treasury. He is also associated with the design of the Great Seal of the United States. Hopkinson submitted a bill for his design of the flag, asking a quarter cask of wine which he thought proper and reasonable. Congress turned him down, claiming he was already paid as a public servant.

The Francis Hopkinson House (101 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, New Jersey) was Hopkinson's residence from 1774 to 1791. Built in 1750 by John Imlay, a merchant. The structure is an L-shaped two-and-one-half-story brick structure with a gambrel and dormered roof.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Mr. Matt)

For Flag Day: World's biggest American flag comes out of hiding

For 244 years, the American flag has endured through the most difficult and challenging times in American history. It was carried forward in the struggle for freedom during theRevolution; it endured the shot and shell while it flew over the embattled Ft. McHenry; it held firm during the Battle of New Orleans, and was present at Shiloh and Chancellorsville; it flew in all its glory over Flanders fields; it was carried across Europe, North Africa and islands in the Pacific in the cause of freedom during World War II; and brave men proudly raised the American flag above Mount Suribachi, on the bleak island of Iwo Jima. Old Glory also saw action in Korea, Vietnam and many places around the world were Americans fought and died in the cause of liberty.

America endures because of the courage and sacrifice of those who served under that flag and those veterans whose coffins are draped with the red, white, and blue. Throughout American history generations of men and women have given their lives and their blood defending that flag and safeguarding our democracy. Despite the political division and social unrest besieging this county, that star spangled banner, still waves as a symbol of freedom.

Francis Hopkinson's original 1777 American Flag(Photo: House of Flags Museum, Robert Williamson)

This Flag Day, let us continue to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. As John Philip Sousa, composer and conductor, said, The red and white and starry blue is freedoms shield and hope.

There is an interesting footnote to Flag Day the flag we have today with its 50 stars representing the 50 states, was not designed by a skilled artist or a member of Congress. It was designed by a 17-year old-boy from Lancaster, Ohio, named Robert G. Heft, and adopted by Congress on July 4, 1960.

Carl J.Asszony, a longtime New Jersey veterans' advocate, can be reached atnjveteran30@gmail.com.

Read or Share this story: https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/2021/06/11/flag-day-new-jerseys-connection-stars-and-stripes/7640642002/

View original post here:

Flag Day 2021: New Jersey's connection to the Stars and Stripes - NorthJersey.com