On July 4th, 1776, America declared its independence from Great Britain. If you are reading this, odd’s are; you probably knew that already. Soon after, our fledgling nation hoisted the stars and stripes in its official capacity. It stood for a message that the whole world could hear loud and clear: “E Pluribus Unum.”Out of many, one.
It was a symbol of unification under a common goal and the resolute belief that freedom and liberty were a cause worth dying for. That’s exactly what the first Americans were prepared to do and what many since have done.
Today we fly the flag to represent continued solidarity to the core principles that this country was founded upon. It shows our pride in a great nation as well our support for those still willing to lay down their lives for these principles both at home and abroad.
After all, what is a nation without its citizens? Supporting our country is supporting its people, its ideals, and flying a flag is a way to show that continued support. Because, out of the many, we are one.
When you plan on purchasing a flag, you purchase a legacy over two centuries in the making. When you hoist our nation's colors for all to see, you fly a symbol that bears with it a certain amount of responsibility. Therefore when it comes to keeping your flag in working order, it is wise to have the proper hardware to ensure it flies freely.
A flag pole spinner is the ideal way to prevent any tangles or furling that the wind and elements might cause. In this article, we will be discussing some of the materials used to construct these spinners, what makes ours exceptional, and why it’s so important to keep America’s colors flying proudly.
Out of Many
We all know the story: Betsy Ross made the flag that would become our nation's most identifiable trademark for literal centuries to come. We flew it, we beat the British, and the rest, as they say, is history.
But as any American will tell you, our country has been a group effort from the beginning. Few things illustrate that point better than the history of our own flag.
The Liberty Tree
During the American Revolution, things hadn’t quite been “finalized,” so there were numerous iterations of revolutionary flags. Many of these, in most cases, wouldn't even be recognizable to us today.
The basic building blocks seem to have been spin-offs of Britain's flag in terms of color and a few of the layouts. In New England, they even had their own signature flag variant that featured a pine tree.
Interestingly enough, this symbolism actually predates the European settlement of the area, originating instead from the nomadic Pennacook tribe that lived in southern Maine. “Pennacook” is actually an Algonquin word that means “Children of the pines.”
A variation of this ensign, which came to be known as “The Liberty Tree,” was even used by George Washington on six schooners which he purchased and outfitted personally (sometime in the fall of 1775).
Other revolutionary flags include:
- George Washington's headquarters flag
- The Hopkinson flag
- The Bennington flag
- The Green Mountain Boys flag
- The Fort Mercer flag
- The Serapis Flag
- Cowpens flag
Betsy Ross: An American Legend
The original American flag, stitched by Betsy Ross, was far from the first flag flown by colonists in defiance of England, but it is by far the most iconic. It’s said that the design was shown to Ross, originally with six-pointed stars, rather than the five-pointed ones we know today.
According to legend, it was Ross herself who suggested a five-pointed star, as it was much easier to make and stitch. She demonstrated this fact by taking a scrap of paper and making a five-pointed star with just a single cut.
It’s said that Washington and his compatriots were so impressed by the seamstress’s skill that they commissioned her to make the first flag right then and there.
Whether every detail of Ross’ involvement was entirely factual is still up for debate. However, there is no doubt that she was both an exceptional seamstress and an inspiring figure in the pages of American history.
Star-Studded
We have come a long way from our original thirteen stars in the two centuries since our country's founding. Over the years, we have changed the flag 26 times, with each new state adding their own shining star to the colorful quilt that is The United States of America.
In 1795, the original flag was modified to include two more stars; those of Kentucky and Vermont. With the addition of these stars, the original circle star pattern was abandoned in place of the more linear rows of stars that we have today.
The last stars to be added to the American flag were added in 1959 and 1960, representing the additions of Alaska and Hawaii, respectively.
A Legacy of Hope
America was founded to be a country of the free, where opportunity abounds and liberty reigns. The flag is the physical embodiment of these principles. When we gaze toward it, hand on heart, to recite The Pledge of Allegiance, we are committing as individuals to the preservation of that which our country is meant to be.
Unwavering Quality
When it comes to the flags we fly, quality is important. Betsy Ross was not the only seamstress around. She was chosen for her skill and craftsmanship; her years of experience. At Allegiance Flag Supply, when it comes to our nation's flag, there are no shortcuts. Each of our flags is hand-made by third-generation seamstresses who bring with them tremendous experience and dedication to their craft.
We believe that the duty of crafting the flag, our greatest symbol of American ideals, is the responsibility and the privilege of the citizens who call this country their home. That means no outsourcing of materials, labor, or any other aspect of the manufacturing process.
The same is true for our flag pole spinners.
Big Things, Small Packages: The Best Flagpole Spinners
The history lesson is over, and it’s time to talk a bit about flagpole spinners. Flagpole spinners are small, but they are by no means unimportant.
Our Non-Tangle Flag Pole Spinners measure one inch in diameter: small but mighty. Just like our military’s flightcraft couldn’t operate without the smallest of computer chips, a great flag cannot fly without the proper spinners.
Spinners can make all the difference between a majestic flag and a lumpy pile of cloth affixed to your porch with a stick.
So, what is a flag spinner? Well, it’s a simple accessory, really. Their job is to fit over your flagpole and clip into your flag’s grommets.
Rather than being directly attached to its pole, your flag will connect with the spinners. Spinners are capable of rotating around the shaft of the flagpole. The result is a flag that can move smoothly with the direction of the wind.
The flag will not tangle, regardless of the direction in which it is blown. If it does get caught up from time to time, the next gust of wind or a slight tug will pull it back into position.
In essence, what a flag spinner does, is ensure that there is never a moment that your flag is not visible to others. Never again will you face the inconvenience of manually untangling your flag from its pole multiple times a day.
With our spinners, you won’t have to worry about rust. They are constructed from highly durable anodized aluminum that will not chip or rust. Anodizing is an electrochemical process used to give the surface of a metal a more decorative, durable, and corrosion-resistant finish.
Come Rain or Shine
We make our products durable enough to withstand the wind and rain. Your flag is a testament to American craftsmanship and resolve. As such, it should be resilient in the face of whatever nature has to throw at it. At Allegiance Flag Supply, our number one goal is providing quality American citizens with quality American products.
Looking for more info on flags and accessories? Our blog has a number of articles that you might find interesting. We have entries of flags, military history, United States trivia, and more.
According to the United States Flag Code, it is considered to be respectful to take your flag down if a storm is brewing on the horizon. However, some areas of this country just happen to be a little windier. Invest in sturdy flagpole spinners to keep Old Glory flying with the majesty she commands.
Sources:
List of British and Patriot Flags of the American Revolutionary War | RevolutionaryWar.us
Betsy Ross and the American Flag: historical analysis | UShistory.org
E Pluribus Unum–Out of Many, One | Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
The Flag of The United States of America | District of Puerto Rico