header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 18
1919 - Fire destroys abandoned second Southern Hotel, built 1878 in Newhall (corner Main & Market) [story]
Second Southern Hotel


The state champion ritual team of Santa Clarita Elks Lodge 2379 presented their annual Flag Day Ceremony on June 9, the Friday closest to Flag Day on June 14. During the event attendees learned the history of the flag of the United States of America.

The Young Marines and Boy Scout Troop 583 presented each flag as described by the officers, from inception to the stars and stripes of today.

This presentation was followed by a ceremony showing how to properly dispose of worn and tattered flags that have flown graciously in the community and are ready to be retired.

During the presentation attendees learned many historical facts about flags and flags of the United States including:

— Carrying banners has been a custom among all peoples throughout the ages which usually contain some concept of life or government of those who fashion them.

— The evolution of the American flag marks the progression of the government of the American people from the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620 until 1775 with the flag of England. The Revolutionary War began April 19, 1775 and ended Sept. 3, 1783, and the colonists began to shape their own banner or flag.

— The Pine Flag was adopted for all colonial vessels and was the banner carried by the continental forces in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Southern colonies used the Snake Flag from 1776 to 1777.

— The Continental Congress appointed a committee in the latter part of 1775 to consider the question of a single flag for the 13 colonies. The committee recommended a design of 13 alternate stripes of red and white; an azure field in the upper corner contained the red cross of St. George and the white cross of St. Andres. John Paul Jones, senior lieutenant of the flag ship “Alfred,” hoisted this flag to the masthead on Dec. 3, 1775. One month later it was raised over the headquarters of General Washington at Cambridge, Mass., in compliment to the United Colonies.

— This flag, called The Continental Colors and The Grand Union, was never carried by Continental land forces and was used only by the navy. It was the first American Flag to receive a salute of honor – 11 guns from the Fort of Orange in the Dutch West Indies.

— In response to a general demand for a banner more representative of the country on June 14, 1777 Congress stated “That the flag of the United States shall be 13 stripes of alternating red and white and the union be 13 stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

— It is generally believed that in May or June 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia Quakeress, to make a flag from a rough design that was provided. Supposedly, she suggested that the stars should have five points rather than six.

— This starry banner was flown at Fort Stanwix (then Fort Schuyler) near Rome, N.Y. on Aug. 3, 1777 and was under fire three days later during a British attack.

— The first official salute to the stars and stripes on Feb. 14, 1778 was made by France, when the “Ranger” under command of John Paul Jones was saluted by the French fleet on the French coast. This flag was made by young women of Portsmouth, N.H., from stripes of their best colored silk dresses and the white wedding gown of a recent bride. It is said this same flag was flown by Jones’ ship, the “Bon Homme Richard,” in its fight by moonlight, upon the high seas with the British frigate “Serapis” in 1779.

— The original stars and stripes represented the original 13 colonies. In 1796, two additional stars and stripes were added to represent the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union.

— The War of 1812 was fought under this banner. The sight of it flying over Fort McHenry on Sept. 14, 1814, inspired Francis Scott Key to write what became our national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

— On April 14, 1818, Congress adopted a resolution that on and after July 4, 1818, the number of stripes should be 13 and a blue field should carry one star for each of the 20 states in the union; a new star would be added for each state admitted thereafter.

— Since 1918, the flag design has not changed except that 28 new stars were added before July 4, 1912.

— This flag of 48 stars flew over the nation for 47 years until just before the Vietnam War. On July 4, 1959, a star was added for Alaska, the first non-connected state, a year later, Hawaii, an island state, added the 50th star.

For more information about Elks Lodge 2379, their programs and projects, contact the Lodge office at (661) 251-1500 (10 a.m. – 1 p.m. weekdays) or visit www.scelks2379.org.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

2 Comments

  1. Earl P. Williams, Jr. says:

    1. According to the U.S. government, there is no proof that Betsy Ross sewed the first Stars and Stripes. The story is based on Ross family lore from 1870 — nearly a century after the Revolutionary War. Although Mrs. Ross sewed flags for 50 years, she made flags for Pennsylvania’s navy during the Revolution. Lastly, the so-called “Betsy Ross Flag” dates from the early 1790s — not from the Revolution. (Source: “Our Flag.” Joint Committee on Printing. United States Congress. H. Doc. 100-247. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.1989. p. 2, https://nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/flag/h_doc_100-247/index.htm)

    2. General George Washington — Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army — was not involved with creating the Stars and Stripes because it was a naval affair. Furthermore, Congress did not create a special committee to design the Stars and Stripes. A standing committee — Congress’ Marine (maritime) Committee sponsored the U.S. Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777 — not in May or June of 1776. (Source: “Our Flag.” p. 1.) Throughout 1776, the unofficial U.S. flag was the Grand Union Flag. It was America’s unofficial Navy ensign and National flag from December 3, 1775, to June 14, 1777. (Source: “Our Flag.” p. 3.)

    3. Betsy Ross was not associated with her eponymous flag until Charles H. Weisgerber painted “Birth of Our Nation’s Flag” for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Sources:

    (a) Furlong, William Rea and Byron McCandless. “So Proudly We Hail: The History of the United States Flag.” Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. 1981. pp. 116 and 117.

    (b) Harker, John Balderston. “Betsy Ross’s Five Pointed Star: Elizabeth Claypoole, Quaker Flag Maker — A Historical Perspective.” Melbourne Beach, FL: Canmore Press. 2005. p. 94.

    4. Scholars now credit Founding Father Francis Hopkinson as the designer of the Stars and Stripes. (Source: Leepson, Marc. “Flag: An American Biography.” St. Martin’s Griffin. 2005. p. 33.)

    5. The Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA) issued the following Tweet on February 4, 2021:

    FMAA@FMAA_USA – Feb 4
    #FlagFact: The designer of the American flag was Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey.
    FMAA_USA.COM

    Submitted by Earl P. Williams, Jr., U.S. flag historian (paleovexillologist), Washington, D.C.

Leave a Comment


SCV NONPROFIT LINKS

NONPROFIT HEADLINES
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising Celebrity Waiter Dinner to be held Saturday, April 26 at the Bella Vida Senior Center.
Thursday, Mar 13, 2025
The Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley 16th Annual Wine Affair: Wine, Beer and Cheer Big Hat Bash will be held Sunday, April 6 on Main Street in Old Town Newhall from noon to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025
The 47th Annual St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church Lenten Fish Fry opened for the season on Friday, March 7, and sold out within hours. It will continue every Friday through April 11.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1919 - Fire destroys abandoned second Southern Hotel, built 1878 in Newhall (corner Main & Market) [story]
Second Southern Hotel
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, March 19, beginning with a closed session at 6:15 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
March 19: Hart Board Considers Appointment of Fiscal Services Director
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Beyond Harmony Medical Spa & Luxury Aesthetics, Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m.
March 26: Beyond Harmony Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to purchase tickets for the 46th Annual city of Santa Clarita Dodger Day.
June 21: Santa Clarita Dodger Day Returns
The Small Business Development Center and city of Santa Clarita will host two Enhancing Your Digital Footprint series webinars, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 19 and 26.
March 19, 26: Enhancing Your Digital Footprint Series
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
Schiavo Advances Public, Victim, Small Business Safety Legislation
On Wednesday, April 2 6-8:30 p.m., Serata Italiana, the renowned Italian language and culture club, will host an exclusive event at Total Wine & More featuring real estate expert Natalie Blancardi and a virtual introduction to Italian attorney Antonello Pierro.
April 2: Total Wine & More Hosts Serata Italiana Event
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
March 17-22: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The track teams of The Master's University maintained their strong start to the 2025 outdoor season at the Ross and Sharon Irwin Classic on Saturday. March 15 in San Diego. Five standards were added and 11 top-10 marks in school history were achieved.
Mustangs’ Track Teams Crush Point Loma Meet
The Master's University men's basketball team's season ended Saturday night, March 15 as the Southern Oregon Raiders defeated the Mustangs 76-71 in The MacArthur Center.
Season Ends for TMU Men’s Hoops
Old Town Newhall has earned its title as Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District and has also become well-known as a hub for prime dining and shopping.
Ken Striplin | Stimulating the SENSES in Old Town Newhall
The Master's University women's basketball team's season came to an end with its first round loss in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament on Saturday, March 15.
Season Ends in Oklahoma for Lady Mustangs
Braden Van Groningen collected 24 kills as The Master's University men's volleyball team came back to defeat the OUAZ Spirit 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-13 Saturday afternoon, March 15 in The MacArthur Center.
Mustangs Get to 4-0 With Four-Set Win Over OUAZ
1927 - Newhall telephone exchange, est. 1900, now serves 100 phones [story]
telephone
2003 - Lifesize sculpture honoring heroes of St. Francis Dam disaster unveiled in Santa Paula [video]
The Warning
1942 - Emery Whilton's Florafaunium opens in Lebec [story]
Florafaunium
Today in SCV History (March 15)
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Kathryn Barger | Wildfire Analysis
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Saugus School Board to Receive Measure EE Annual Report
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
SCV Elementary School Lunches Offered on Eco-friendly Serving Trays
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
College of the Canyons Women's Tennis got back in the win column with an 8-1 conference road win at Glendale College.
Canyons Gets Back in the Win Column 8-1 at Glendale
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
March 15: St. Francis Dam Tour Postponed Due to Rain
SCVNews.com