July 4th is a day when American's celebrate our country by decking out our homes and ourselves in red, white and blue. But why were these three colors chosen to respresent our nations?
In 1776 with America's hard won battle for freedom behind them the people of our country wanted a national flag that would symbolize not only their independence but their spirit of unity. The Continental Congress responded by passing the first "Flag Act" which established the first official flag for our nation. It stated:
"Resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field."
The significance of the colors was defined thus: "White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue, Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice."
Our founding fathers recognized the ability of color to communicate meaning but whether Americans today know the specific significance of these colors is not as important as the power of these colors to evoke our patriotic spirit and unify us as a country.
Happy 4th of July!
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