As Independence Day celebrations concluded over the weekend, Texans joined the rest of America in celebrating the holiday with parades, barbecues, and fireworks. Businesses and families decorated their properties with themes that rely heavily on the American flag. Many fly actual flags. Others put up wreaths, banners, or other items with designs that incorporate stars and red, white, and blue.
These colors and this symbol date back to the very beginning of the nation. On July 2nd, 1776, the Founding Fathers met for the Second Continental Congress and voted to declare independence from Great Britain. Retired State District Judge Lee Hamilton says the founding fathers originally thought July 2 would mark the day of celebration, “On July 3rd, one of the founding father’s John Adams, wrote his wife, Abigail, that quote, ‘the second day of July 1776 would be the most memorable, epic in the history of America.”
Hamilton says Adams’ prediction was only two days off because it was not until July 4th, 1776, when they adopted the Declaration of Independence giving birth to the United States of America, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The colors red, white, and blue represent bravery, purity, and justice. Its 13 horizontal stripes represent the original colonies, and the 50 stars represent each of the states. Hamilton says while the flag has evolved over time, it continues to symbolize freedom, “The flag is very, very significant. It represents America. It symbolizes America. And, it invokes emotion and pride. Just like the whole idea of celebrating the birthday of America.”
Flag etiquette has changed over time. Throughout most of the Twentieth Century, people were careful to display flags properly from flag poles, lower and store them in respectful ways, and no one would have gone to the beach in American Flag swimwear or flip-flops.
The US Flag Code (Public Law 94-344) lays out specific guidelines for how to honor the flag, describing when the flag should be displayed and how it should be handled.
For example, flags should never touch the ground. Nothing should be put on top of it when it’s folded. Flags shouldn’t be tied back, but allowed to wave freely. It shouldn’t be used as a cover, and it’s *not* supposed to be worn as clothing.
There are rules around folding, storing, and disposing of flags, and it’s only supposed to be on display from sunrise to sunset, unless it is properly illuminated.
In recent years, Americans' interaction with the flag has become much more casual. But there are opportunities to get reacquainted with the history and reverence many hold for Independence Day and the symbols of the nation.
For the month of July, the Grace Museum’s cultural heritage highlights Independence Day.
Lori Thornton, director of marketing and communications, says visitors can explore the history of the national holiday and its local connection, which she thinks makes it more real for people, “They may or may not know that much about history and where it comes from, why we celebrate it, why we have a parade, why we should have fireworks and things like that. And so, I think for all of the different months, having some connection to our local history just really puts more of a face on it.”
Thornton says other than learning about how Abilenians have celebrated over the years, they may be surprised to read about the ‘Safe and Sane’ movement, which led to changes in safety regulations for fireworks and celebrations.
“At my house, I have an American flag that I fly. I think it’s very important,” Longtime Abilene Resident Etta Hall says she thinks everyone should honor the flag because it is a symbol of the country. "I think that we should always celebrate our flag, celebrate America. I just think it’s very important. And more people should do it.”
Abilene resident and military reservist Nina Diaz says seeing the flag displayed in public makes her feel good about Independence Day. Diaz is the third generation in her family to serve, and her husband is also currently serving in the military. She says the holiday makes her feel some appreciation for her service.
Diaz says with the division and conflict in the country, she thinks it’s still important to celebrate Independence Day, “With everything happening, I try not to think about that and just think about all the people who have served before us and all the things that they’ve done to get us to where we are today."
Etta Hall agrees, she says she thinks it’s more important to celebrate Independence Day now more than ever, “We need to celebrate. We need to have something that we can come together and be proud of. We should absolutely be proud of America. And proud of our flag. And who we are as people.”
Judge Lee Hamilton says while American citizens have the right to choose whether or not to celebrate the holiday, he believes this is the one holiday all Americans can rally around, “We should reflect on the significant steps that were taken by our founding fathers and, and still, appreciate, the action because as a result of their action, we continue to enjoy, freedom.”
While millions of Americans enjoyed the traditional July 4th activities, some exercised their freedom to “peaceably assemble” this year. More than 150 “Free America” protests happened across all 50 states, protesting federal funding cuts, US involvement in international conflict, and potential cuts to Social Security.
Though the way we observe the holiday and the American flag has evolved over time, the Stars and Stripes still symbolize the enduring freedom that allows every American to celebrate the Fourth of July in their own way.
