The USA Flags Collection
From the founding of this nation through the end of World War II, the American flag has been a powerful symbol of hope to billions of people around the world. At the same time, it has been a source of controversy and raised First Amendment questions such as the religious character of the Pledge of Allegiance and whether flag desecration during political protests is protected speech.Resource: ultimateflags.com
This collection includes documents and resources that provide an overview of the American flag including its history, important dates in the development of the country and the evolution of the flag. It also provides information on the laws that regulate the use of the flag. The collection is supplemented with a number of digitized historic and current U.S. flags including the original American Flag Act passed in Philadelphia on June 14th, 1777.
Proudly American: USA Flags Collection
While the official specifications for the American flag set by Congress establish the star arrangement and width-to-height ratio, there are many ways that people can interpret and use the design in their daily lives. For example, people frequently write their names along the stripes of the American flag or place a peace symbol in the blue field of the stars. In addition, Americans have long taken the liberty of creating and customizing their versions of the American flag independent of any governmental oversight.
The American flag also serves as a potent design icon that artists and fashion designers utilize to express their ideas and interpretations of the United States. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, for example, both incorporate the flag into their signature Ivy League-inspired collections while designers like Pyer Moss’ Kerby Jean-Raymond employ the American flag in his collections to examine the African-American experience.