Five hidden messages in the American flag

[Jimbuna]

Well I readily admit I learned a few things about our American cousins in this article.

I only hope it is accurate.

Until 1912, there was no set design for the Stars and Stripes. And so, hidden in older versions of the flag, its makers laid hints of the country's history and quest for identity.

Aptly - given it's national anthem is about the flag - the Stars and Stripes is a key part of America's identity. It hangs in classrooms and in courtrooms, on state buildings and suburban porches.
It has been the national flag since 1777. And the flag that inspired the anthem was enormous. Measuring 30 by 42 feet (9 x 12.8m), it was raised over Baltimore's Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Its 15 broad stripes and 15 bright stars inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner, the song that became the national anthem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15634606

[Sailor Steve]

Well, that's an interesting collection of historical tidbits, some of which I didn't know, but I'd hardly call it "hidden messages". Also I find it amusing that they don't know who wrote what. Francis Scott Key wrote a poem, not a song, and he titled it "In Defense of Fort McHenry". The music is English, though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

All that's ever sung is the first verse. The rest of the poem is just as powerful.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/song.../anthemmid.htm

Still and all, a nice article.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Still and all, a nice article.

That's alright then, I simply wasn't sure if it was accurate or not

[Platapus]

Other than the fact that these were not messages nor were they hidden, awesome article.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

That's alright then, I simply wasn't sure if it was accurate or not

The Confederate flag still flies in southern states

[nitpicking]
The picture doesn't show the Confederate flag but a newer variant of the Confederate Naval Jack. (the one in the middle has the colors of the original)

however the article states it right, when it says "They're hiding the Confederate battle flag within the stars and stripes.", as the Southern cross in the battle flag and in the example are both square.

But any article is good from which I learn more, and this was the case with this one!

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Penguin

[nitpicking]
The picture doesn't show the Confederate flag but a newer variant of the Confederate Naval Jack. (the one in the middle has the colors of the original)

however the article states it right, when it says "They're hiding the Confederate battle flag within the stars and stripes.", as the Southern cross in the battle flag and in the example are both square.

But any article is good from which I learn more, and this was the case with this one!

That's the battle flag. AFAIR, the Bonnie Blue was the "official" state flag of the South.:




so I guess we're not using this one then?

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Platapus

Other than the fact that these were not messages nor were they hidden, awesome article.

There must be some Free Mason stuff hidden in there someplace? I suspect the a Jewish conspiracy to rule the world hidden in there.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

There must be some Free Mason stuff hidden in there someplace?

Well, Washington and Franklin were both Masons, so you never know.

I suspect the a Jewish conspiracy to rule the world hidden in there.

That theory has been proven completely wrong! No! Jewish! Conspiracy! Nothing to see here, move along.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

That theory has been proven completely wrong! No! Jewish! Conspiracy! Nothing to see here, move along.

So you're part of it then?

[joegrundman]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

the music is english though

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

you learn something new everyday. So the american national anthem music is actually a bawdy upper-class british drinking song.

awesome. it will never sound the same to me again

i'm trying to imagine it with some rugby song lyrics

[joegrundman]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

so I guess we're not using this one then?

The queen will let you use this one if you apologise first, and promise to stop using your silly spelling conventions.

[August]

This is not a national flag. During the civil war many Union regiments patterned their regimental flags after national flags. I believe some Confederate regiments did the same, but they were not national flags, just similar to them.