Depending on the topic, writing an essay may be an intriguing task for students. But it becomes especially interesting when you are to write a paper about your native country’s symbols and your attitude towards them. That is the reason a “why I honor the American flag” essay may become an exciting assignment making you fully captivated in an attempt to contemplate patriotism.
Before reading the sample, we suggest you refresh your memory and read a short summary of the American flag’s history and facts. That way, you might get some inspiration or ideas to write why I honor the American flag essay.
Brief American Flag History Recap
The flag of the United States is the third oldest national symbol in the world—older than Union Jack in the UK or the Tricolor in France. It was first authorized by Congress on June 14, 1777. This date is celebrated as Flag Day throughout the USA. It was first raised after the battle of Oriskany on August 6, 1777.
Initially, the American flag had 13 stripes and 13 stars (the number of colonies that won the War of Independence), but currently, there that number grew to 50. A new star would be added to the flag on July 4, if a new state entered the union.
In 1818, Congress decided that the number of stripes should be reduced and limited to thirteen in honor of the first thirteen states, while the number of stars on the flag should increase with each new state. That law exists to this day.
Here are some of the things you cannot do with the American flag:
- Slightly lower it in deference to a person or object;
- Set it with its canton down, except for a distress signal;
- Set the flag so that it touches anything below it;
- Carry the flagpole horizontally (only at a particular angle and aloft);
- Use or store the flag in such a way that gets it damaged or dirty;
- Write and draw on the flag;
- Use it as a wrapper;
- Use it as clothing, bedding, drapery, or be a part of them;
- Use the flag for advertising and promoting purposes;
- Print its image on napkins, boxes, and other disposable items.
However, as a protest against something, US residents often burn the American flag, which is a right guaranteed by the constitution.
When writing an essay about the American flag, you should essentially write what it means to you. The word “honor” in the task already suggests what type of feelings this national symbol should invoke in you.
However, don’t forget that it doesn’t mean you are prohibited from expressing an opinion that is different from that suggested by the task. After all, freedom of speech is one of the many liberties the US is known for. But, in most cases, by celebrating the American flag, you will get better results for the essay.
What to write about?
Obviously, the flag (just kidding). To determine the direction you want to take in your writing, take a look at your assignment sheet one more time and reread the topic.
Is it exactly “why I honor the American flag,” or is it just an “American flag” essay?
If it’s the first option or its variation, you are asked explicitly about your opinion. Hence, you should avoid stuffing boring historical facts in your essay. Instead, write more about your thoughts on past events related to the American flag or prominent figures involved. In the best-case scenario, tell a personal story related to the flag or the values it perpetuates. And, if you don’t have one, you can always make it up (wink).
If the topic is more general, it’s usually fine to get more encyclopedian in your American flag essay. However, if you merely collect and rewrite existing opinions and facts without contributing your own thoughts, you probably won’t get the best grade.
Writing Your Essay
We have several detailed guides regarding many essay writing aspects. If you are writing for an essay contest, you won’t usually be required to follow citation styles and such, but be sure to double-check the requirements. There might also be a word limit to comply.
To write your essay, we suggest you follow these guidelines:
If you’re not entirely new to writing essays, you can skip the first step. But you know what they say, “Repetition is the mother of learning.” By studying those tips, you should be able to write not only a winning why I honor the American flag essay but any basic essay out there.
Ideas for an American Flag Essay
First, let’s see what the Americans usually point out when writing about the flag’s symbolism. Having read countless essay examples and articles about what the American flag means to people of different ages, professions, descent, and status, here are the dominating trends regarding what the flag stands for:
- The pride for the country and its history
- The strength of all American people
- The joy of seeing warriors coming back alive
- The ability of Americans to overcome and unite
- The freedom to express yourself
- The opportunities to become anything you want
- The commitment to serve your country
- The courage of the Americans and founding fathers
Also, after a thorough textual analysis of those texts, we were able to determine a pool of words related to the topic. Here are more inspiring words that US citizens often associate with the American flag.
- Military: army, combat, glory, heroes, peace, protection, sacrifice, safety, service, tears, valor, veterans, vigilance, war.
- Feelings: appreciation, honor, love, patriotism, respect, responsibility.
- Rights: equality, independence, justice, liberty.
- Qualities: allegiance, compassion, generosity, hardworking, optimism, perseverance, volunteerism.
- Other: breeze, discovery, dreams, family, ideals, kids, pledge, principles, treasure, unity.
When reading those words, some will be more relatable to you than others. That’s because every person has their own unique set of things that influence them throughout life. If the American flag represents one thing to you, it might be very different for your friend. But, that’s the beauty of this topic.
Specific topics about the American flag
If, for your American flag essay, you need ideas that are more specific, here is a list of sample topics you might use:
- The early history of the American flag.
- Flag Day and its celebration.
- The first word that comes to your mind when you see it.
- How I usually spend Flag Day.
- The first versions of the American flag.
- The 13 folds of the US flag and their symbolism.
- The rules for handling the American flag.
- The meaning behind every element of the flag.
- The connection of the US flag with other flags.
- The unspoken rules of flag folding.
- How youth is treating the flag nowadays.
- I asked my friends what the American flag meant to them, and here’s what they said.
- Why might some people treat their national flag as a mere piece of cloth?
Consider reading the American flag essay example below to get a better idea of what to write about if you are assigned to do this task. It was submitted by a student anonymously, but who knows, maybe you will recognize your friend’s writing style?
What the American Flag Means to Me
What does the American flag mean to me? I believe that it is much more than a colorful piece of fabric with red and white lines and fifty stars on it. This symbol of the United States has over 240 years of history with its current design being developed in the 1960s. Being inseparable from the U.S.A., it’s become a symbol of the U.S. It’s put on souvenirs to refer to the U.S. and on all public buildings and many private residences. It is deeply ingrained in the mind of all Americans. Our flag helps us feel that we live in a forever-united country that will stay strong as long as we stand together.
I love the symbolism of the stars and the stripes. The red color signifies the courage and bravery that Americans have always shown throughout their history. The white color shows purity and innocence. The blue color symbolizes the perseverance and justice our nation has been proud of for centuries. And, the stars signify fifty free States that stand together and rule as one. They show that our country is bonded together, no matter how different we might be. I like to mull over the fact that my predecessors also believed in this idea, and it has not changed since then.
Yes, we are different. People of different races, confessions, and political beliefs live in America. A lot of people from around the world have come here for greater career opportunities, freedom, safety, and better living as a whole. The U.S. hosted them all to make us a united nation whose country deserves the title “the United States of America.”
Being a U.S. citizen means taking pride in my country. And I know that it’s mutual. America is proud of its sons and daughters who serve it and is thankful every day for the hard work and their patriotism that keeps the U.S.A. a safe place to live in.
Many wars have been fought under the American flag, be it on our land or across the seas. And at these periods, that flag encouraged our people to stay strong. A lot of Americans put their lives on the line to protect our country, and the country will be grateful to them forever. The memory of those heroes who have died and of those who are alive remains in our hearts together with pride we take in their deeds, and the American flag that has always accompanied them is another reminder of their feats.
But, I believe that our flag stands not only for all the soldiers but also for the civilians who have fought the war for food and money during the harsh days for our country. Even during those times, our symbol flew high and reminded each of the Americans of the courage they need to keep. If they’d lost this bravery, we would possibly have no country to take pride in today.
Another thing this American symbol always reminds me of is that all men and women in our country know their rights and freedoms. We are free to talk about what we like and dislike; we can believe in what we want, be it God or a Flying Spaghetti Monster; we can freely share each of our beliefs; we can move in any direction and linger where our hearts tell us. We are free as individuals and as a nation.
An image of the confederate flag of the U.S. evokes a fiery patriotism in me that makes me feel ready to protect my country at all times. Also, it is the symbol of freedom and a place where one can become anything they want. In the United States, we have so many things to be proud of. This is the mentality we were brought up with and that I’d want to pass on to future generations.
More American Flag Facts
Origin
When the independence of the United States of America was declared on July 4, 1776, the newborn state did not yet have an official flag.
It is believed that the first flag that was used as the flag of the United States was the so-called “Grand Union Flag” (“Continental Flag,” “Congress Flag,” “Cambridge Flag,” and “First Navy Ensign”). It essentially was a copy (except for the number of stripes) of the British East India Company flag.
The Continental Flag was first used as the national flag on December 2, 1775, by Continental Fleet Lieutenant John Paul Jones, who hoisted it on the Alfred (a merchant’s vessel) in Philadelphia, PA. It is known that this version of the flag was sewn by the tailor Margaret Manny.
Over the next year and a half, the Continental Flag was used by North American revolutionaries, including the future first US President George Washington, as naval and army flags.
Current version
According to the Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA), the flag was proposed exactly as it was adopted by Francis Hopkinson, the former member of the Maritime Committee of the Second Continental Congress, and one of the authors of the US Declaration of Independence.
In 1795, after the states of Vermont and Kentucky entered the United States, the number of stars and stripes on the US flag increased from thirteen to fifteen. It was this flag, with fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, that was seen by the American poet Francis Key over Fort McHenry in 1814, which later became famous as the “Star-Spangled Banner.” Impressed by what he saw, Francis Key wrote the poem “The Defense of Fort McHenry,” which later became the text of the US anthem.
In 1818, the number of stripes on the US flag was reduced to the original thirteen. And later, only stars were added, according to the number of states in the country.
A fiftieth star was added to the US flag in 1960 when the last state to date, Hawaii, joined the union.
The US Army Institute of Heraldry has prepared proposals to change the design of the US flag with a quite possible increase in the number of states in the future.
Bottom line
The history of the American flag is one of the richest in the world. It can make you feel both joyful and sad feelings, but those are always cherished and never forgotten. We hope the ideas outlined in our article, along with other recommendations, will allow you to find your own voice on its matter and write an excellent essay.