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thirteen six-pointed stars in a circle, white on a bhie ground, to replace the Union Jack. Betsy Ross pointed out that the more pleasing five-rayed star could be cut by one clip of the scissors on the folded stuff. They accepted her amendment and the flag was made.
It was used thenceforth as the country's emblem, but not formally indorsed by Congress until a year later, when the following appears in the Journal of Congress:—
"June 14, 1777. Resolved, That the Flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternately red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white, in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
On May 1, 1795, to represent also Vermont and Kentucky, both stars and stripes were increased to 15. In 1818, the admission of Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi, called for further change. On July 4 of that year the number of stars was increased to 20, but, at the same time, the number of stripes was reduced to the original 13, and a further provision made for the addition of one star for each new State entering the Union, such addition to take effect on the 4th of July next succeeding such admission; so that the present number of stars is 48.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was written by Francis Scott Key, during the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British, September 13, 1814. It is usually considered the American National Anthem.
The text is as follows:—
THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
- What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming —
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
- O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming!
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
