TRANSCRIPT OF THE PODCAST ON U.S. FLAG DAY

FLAG DAY, June 14, 2007

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

("Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa)

Hello and welcome to the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Flag Day podcast. I'm Debbie Ash.

On June 14, 1777, Congress authorized the flag as the National Standard of the United States. This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout America. The United States Flag is one of the oldest of the National Standards of the world; only the flags of Sweden, Denmark, and The Netherlands are older.

The First Continental Army hoisted the Flag over Fort Stanwix, NY, on August 3, 1777 making it the first official display. t was under fire for three days later in the Battle of Oriskany, August 6, 1777.

It was first decreed that there should be a star and a stripe for each state, making thirteen of both; for the States at the time had just been erected from the original thirteen colonies.

Stars symbolized dominion and sovereignty, as well as lofty aspirations. The constellation of the stars within the blue union, one star for each state, is emblematic of our Federal Constitution, which reserves to the States their individual sovereignty except as to the rights delegated by them to the Federal Government.

The colors of the Flag may be thus explained: The red is for valor, zeal and fervency; the white for hope purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct; the blue, the color of heaven, for reverence to God, loyalty, sincerity, justice and truth

The symbolism of the Flag was thus interpreted by George Washington, the first President of the United States: "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty."

In 1818 Congress enacted that the number of stripes be reduced and restricted henceforth to thirteen representing the thirteen original states; while a star should be added for each succeeding state. That law is the law of today.

The United States Flag is unique in the deep and noble significance of its message to the entire world, a message of national independence, of individual liberty, of idealism, of patriotism.

It symbolizes national independence and popular sovereignty. It is not the Flag of a reigning family or royal house, but of three hundred million free people welded into a Nation, one and inseparable, united not only by community of interest, but by vital unity of sentiment and purpose; a Nation distinguished for the clear individual conception of its citizens alike of their duties and their privileges, their obligations and their rights.

It incarnates for all mankind the spirit of Liberty and the glorious ideal of human Freedom; not the freedom of unrestraint or the liberty of license, but a unique ideal of equal opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, safeguarded by the stern and lofty principles of duty, of righteousness and of justice, and attainable by obedience to self-imposed laws.

It embodies the essence of patriotism. Its spirit is the spirit of the American nation. Its history is the history of the American people. Emblazoned upon its folds in letters of living light are the names and fame of our heroic dead, the Fathers of the Republic who devoted upon its altars their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. It bears witness to the immense expansion of our national boundaries, the development of our natural resources, and the splendid structure of our civilization. It prophesies the triumph of popular government, of civic and religious liberty and of national righteousness throughout the world.

The flag first rose over thirteen states along the Atlantic seaboard, with a population of some three million people. Today it flies over fifty states, extending across the continent and over great islands of the two oceans; and over three hundred million people owe it allegiance. It has been brought to this proud position by love and sacrifice. Citizens have advanced it and heroes have died for it. It is the sign made visible of the strong spirit that has brought liberty and prosperity to the people of America. It is the flag of all us alike. Let us accord it honor and loyalty.

With extreme gratefulness to the men and women of the United States military who have fought in wars before and those who are fighting today for all that the Flag represents, the Flag will wave forever!