For the story of the holiday that honors the flag every June 14, check out our Flag Day 2026 guide.
Ever wonder why red, white, and blue? We broke down the story behind the flag colors in what the colors of the American flag actually mean.
Curious about the flag itself? We also cover what the colors of the American flag actually mean and where the red, white, and blue actually come from.
The flag inspired more than one famous American ritual. In 1892, for example, schoolteacher Francis Bellamy wrote the first Pledge of Allegiance for a Columbus Day flag-raising program. The words have been tied to the flag ever since.
Related: The Star-Spangled Banner: History, Lyrics, and Meaning of America's National Anthem covers the full story of Francis Scott Key, Fort McHenry, and the four verses of the anthem.
For the full story of how this country chose its symbols, see our deep dive on the bald eagle and how it became America's national symbol. Different angle, same founding-era thread.
The flag is not the only American symbol with a story. Read why the bald eagle became America's national bird and when it became official.
The flag was born alongside the document that started it all. Read what the Declaration of Independence actually says.
