Betsy Ross had no idea what she was starting back in May of 1776 when she designed that first American flag.

But it wasn’t until more than a year later that her design became the official flag of our nation when Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

Congress passed several acts between then and 1960 that changed the flag slightly each time until it became the 50 stars and 13 stripes that it is today. According to the USA Flag Site, the red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, white symbolizes Purity and Innocence and blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

The American Flag can be seen all over the world. It’s been carried, draped, worn as clothing, painted on faces and fingernails, it’s been as big as a football field and as tiny as a lapel pin.

But no matter where you see it, for the most part it just represents freedom. Happy 4th of July! Now, let’s rock!!!!

John Mellencamp, “Our Country”

Bruce Springsteen, “Born in the USA”

Tom Petty, “American Girl”

Neil Young & Pearl Jam, “Keep Rockin’ in a Free World”

Simon & Garfunkel, “America”

Paul McCartney, “Freedom” & “Let It Be” from the Concert for New York City

The Guess Who, “American Woman”

Todd Snider, “This Land Is Your Land”

WZLX Digital Team