Category: American Flag

Top 5 Products for Labor Day Weekend

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It’s that time of year, again. Schools are resuming session, their doors opening to sunburnt, some bummed, summer kiddos. Sports are returning from hiatus, their practices and games coming back into play. Amusement parks are trying to squeeze one more weekend out of you and your wallet, vying for just a little bit more of your time and money. I am of course talking about Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of Summer. The time where we get one more weekend to get our butts on the lake. One more weekend to get together with our friends and family before the busy season kicks in and revs itself into high gear. One more weekend to just bask in the warm glow of summer’s goodness and all it brought. Sweet sunny rays and lounging on the porch. One more weekend to party your little hearts out in whatever way suits your fancy.

Does it involve grilling? Hot dogs? Hammocks? However you like to spend your Labor Day weekend, we have put together this list to help aid you in your celebration. Celebrated nationally since 1894, Labor Day was the turning point for the American worker. With a holiday to celebrate them and all they do, we started to see more and more labor laws go into effect. 12-hour days and 7-day weeks would no longer be the norm, at least for the vast majority of workers in the industrial world. This was thanks to the plethora of unions sprouting up all over the place and many more people organizing on their own accord to fight for a better way to live. Labor Day is a pretty great holiday. Not only is it a wonderful time to commemorate and honor workers all over the world and country, past and present, but it’s a whole heck of a lot of fun to do it together. Here at the United States Flag Store, we have compiled a list of our Top 5 Products for your Labor Day Weekend Celebration!

Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com

1. USA MADE 3×5′ American Flag

First things first, let’s get you set up with a new American Flag. Whether you don’t have one or maybe it’s just time to replace that Old Glory that hasn’t come down for the better part of a decade, it is always great to make sure your symbol for The United States of America is in tip top shape and suitable to be the center of attention or as an eye catcher at your party. The flag I am going to recommend for you today is the Super Tough brand 3′ x 5′ American Flag. It is easily one of our most popular flags with a 5-star rating from over 800 reviews. This flag is made of nylon and won’t require too much wind to see ‘er wave at you. Made 100% in the U.S.A., there’ not many better ways to honor American workers than by buying from American workers. Not only that, but it’s also super fade resistant and tough to beat.

2. Valley Forge 20ft Flagpole

In addition to updating your American flag, we also offer a beautiful 20ft Flagpole to proudly display your flag at home, having a flagpole increases curb appeal and you can hang 2 flags at once on the same pole like your State flag or Military flag under the American Flag. This particular flagpole kit also comes with a free American Flag! Our customers love this flagpole and often comment how easy installation was and that it is very durable.

3. Decorate your front porch with a Patriotic Pleated Fan

You can show your red, white and blue in more ways than just the flag, but also with a patriotic pleated fan! These look great on entryways, porches, railings and add that extra bit of flare and zest to your party and home. Celebrate this historical holiday with these historical decorations from yesteryear.

Photo by Greg Gulik on Pexels.com

4. Gather around an American Flag Firepit

Labor Day weekend is the perfect time for a bonfire. The weather is cooling off at night, making it the perfect opportunity to gather round a nice, warm fire. This American Flag Firepit is made of steel and in the U.S.A., so you know your fire is going to be safe and well contained. We have two different options for this one, a tattered American Flag and standard American Flag, made with a laser cut design with the classic look of unfinished steel, you’d be hard pressed to find a cooler piece of practicality and patriotic pride.

5. Get ready for your local Labor Day Parade with Small Hand Flags

You know there is going to be some parades going on, what better way to add to the celebration than to bring some American stick flags? We have got a wide array of American stick flags to meet whatever needs you may have. Whether you are looking for an 8″ x 12″ or 12″ x 18″, spear tip, ball tip, no tip, no fray and sewn edges, we got you covered. Make your parade super special and memorable by handing out these flags to some excited kiddos who get to experience the celebration and pride for the first time.

There you have it! Just a little list from us at the United States Flag Store to try and help you ring in this fantastic holiday. These products are sure to bring your festivities some patriotic vibrancy. And just remember, whatever you wind up doing, always strive to be safe and have fun.

Honoring Service Members This Veteran’s Day

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Veteran’s Day is fast approaching on November 11th. Flags are one of the most beautiful and timeless ways to show your thanks and pay tribute to all the dedicated men and women who have served our country. 

We all know that flags make great decorations, but they also make for terrific gifts and serve as an easy way to show your American pride. We offer durably made American flags in several sizes, ranging from flags on a handheld stick the whole way to 20’ x 30’!

We carry a vast selection of flags representing each branch of the military including the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Take a look below at just a handful of the military flags we have to offer. Our military flags are available in several sizes.

Top (left to right): Air Force, Army, Marine Corps flags
Bottom (left to right): Navy, Coast Guard, Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flags

At the United States Flag Store, we know flags. Our flags are made with heavyweight nylon or polyester, providing great durability even when flying outside against the elements. However, we carry way more than just outdoor flags. We also offer indoor flags, car and motorcycle flags, and garden flags.

If you’re not looking for a flag but still want something to show your respect this Veteran’s Day, the United States Flag Store also carries unique flag accessories. Flag pins are perfect when pinned on a hat or jacket lapel. Or, show your pride by placing a new decal on your vehicle! We also carry a complete line of military grave markers that make for a beautiful way to honor fallen soldiers and veterans.

To all service members, including active duty, veterans, and those who have left us: we sincerely thank you for your service and your dedication to this great country.

Happy Veteran’s Day! 

Facts About the Flags of the World

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While every country has its own flag, these symbols of patriotism sure do bring up a lot of inquiries. From why certain symbols are chosen to what the colors of the flags mean, we’ll examine some interesting facts about the flags of the world.

Flags are national symbols. Every country decided on a specific flag as their national symbol. Before flags, certain groups of people used decorated spears and decorated staff which showed their cultural symbols. Later people used ribbons, leather, or silk decorations on the spears to differentiate their group from another group. Flags flown in the 18th century told others that this particular land belongs to them and that they rule over the people and land.

All cultures use certain symbols with are meaningful to them. Some symbols are even universal, as they have the same meaning all over the world. Here are the symbols that are most used in flags:

Sun: The circle of the sun symbolizes unity and energy. Japan is referred to be the “land of the rising sun” and uses the sun (simplified as a circle) in its national flag. Another country that uses this powerful symbol is Argentina.

Moon: The moon is usually displayed in crescent shape to distinguish it from the symbol of the sun. In combination with a star, the moon represents divinity. Tunisia’s flag has three powerful symbols in its national flag; the red crescent moon and one-star rest in a white circle representing the sun. Turkey and Singapore also use the moon as a symbol on their flag.

Stars: Constellations of stars often represent energy, especially when depicting the night sky or star constellation. The American flag is affectionately known as “Stars and Stripes”. Other countries using the stars as a symbol are Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

Cross: In ancient times, the cross only symbolized the different points of the compass. However, in the 4th century, the cross was also taken as the symbol of faith. Countries that use the cross symbol include England’s St. George Cross, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland.

Triangle: The three points of a triangle represent the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in Christianity. The triangle often also symbolizes strength and power. Countries that use a triangle as a symbol are: Bahamas, Eritrea, Sudan, American Samoa, and others.

Square: The four even lengths of the square symbolize balance and equal opposites. The Swiss flag is the only square flag in the world.

White is the color most used in flags (at 17.7%), while red is second and in third place is yellow. Let’s go over what each color means.

White stands for peace and innocence. This is also the color of purity. It symbolizes light and perfection. In many countries, white is also associated with death (wave the white flag for surrender).

Red stands for love and emotion. It is the color of life, blood, and passion. It is also associated with power and danger. In China, the color red is associated with good luck.

Yellow stands for happiness and energy. It often symbolizes the sunshine. In China, yellow is considered to be the imperial color.

Blue stands for tranquility and calmness. It often symbolizes the water and the sky. The color is often associated with trust and loyalty, as well as with wisdom and harmony.

Green stands for freshness and fertility and is a symbol of nature and new growth. It also is associated with stability and safety.

Orange stands for joy, creativity, enthusiasm and even revolutionary ideas. As a combination of red and yellow, it is usually associated with strength, passion and activity.

Black stands for darkness and mystery. It is also associated with power and strength.

Purple stands for passion and wealth. The combination of red and blue is associated with luxury and elegance, but also with power and independence. Only a few countries use purple or violet in their flags: Nicaragua, the Second Republic of Spain, and Dominica.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll-free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Veterans Day

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Veterans Day 2018 will be the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War I.

Veterans Day celebrates the service of all United States military veterans who have fought and who continue to fight today. Previously known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11.

The history of Veterans Day dates to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when a truce, or an armistice, between Germany and the Allied Nations came into effect, bringing an end to World War I. On November 11, 1919, Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Wilson and commemorated United States’ veterans who served in World War I for the first time. In 1926, the United States Congress officially recognized November 11 as the end of World War I and declared that day as the anniversary of the armistice.

The American effort during World War II saw the greatest mobilization of the United States Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War. In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans”. President Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on Armistice Day officially became known as Veterans’ Day and therefore, became a holiday honoring American veterans of all wars.

The next chapter in the story of Veterans Day unfolded in 1968, when Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which sought to ensure 3-day weekends for federal employees. This idea was to encourage tourism and travel by celebrating 4 national holidays (Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day) on Mondays. The observation of Veterans Day was set as the 4th Monday in October. The first Veterans Day under the new law was Monday, October 25, 1971; confusion ensued, as many states disapproved of this change, and continued to observe the holiday on its original day.

In 1975, after it became evident that the actual date of Veterans Day carried historical and patriotic significance to many Americans, President Ford signed a new law returning the observation of Veterans Day to November 11th beginning in 1978. If November 11 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the federal government observes the holiday on the previous Friday or following Monday, respectively.

Traditionally, Veterans Day is viewed as a time of honor and remembrance. Annually, an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, while parades, church services, and other celebrations are held throughout the United States.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Patriot Day

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In 2001, America was changed forever when four hijacked planes crashed into three separate areas, the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks shocked and horrified the nation. In the weeks and months after the tragic event, America united in solidarity to mourn for the victims. Reactions and messages of support came from around the world, with one thing in common: We are all Americans.

In the days after September 11th, the American flag became even more symbolic. One of the most significant photos after the attacks were of three firemen raising a flag at Ground Zero. You may recall seeing flags flying on not just houses, but on car windows or antennas, and people wearing flag pins on their lapels. Stores ran out of flags, with a demand for more. Flag makers had to work even longer and harder in order to keep up. Some people even wore the flag, emblazoned on their shirts or on hats.

While nearly 20 years have passed since the horrific events of that day with the Pentagon rebuilt along with a new World Trade Center tower, but the pain of the attacks are still felt deeply. Memorials where the attacks happened now stand, where one can come to pay their respects. The flags are still flying high, even though they are flown and displayed less often than they were in the days following the attack. Americans commemorated the fallen and showed strength during a tough time in the nation by displaying their flag, reminding everyone else that they would not be brought down.

We Will Never Forget.

 

-CD

The History of Labor Day

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Celebrated on the first Monday of every September, Labor Day honors the contributions and achievements of the American worker. Becoming a federal holiday in 1894, Labor Day originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters.

At the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States during the late 1800s, the average American worked 12-hour days, 7-days a week. And this was just to manage a basic living. Also, and despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 worked in mills, factories, and mines earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. Workers of all ages, the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities, and breaks.

As manufacturing work replaced agriculture as the main source of American employment, labor unions grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and pressed employers to renegotiate hours and pay. In New York City on September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.

Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, when several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Then on May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives. Two months later, the American Railroad Union led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers. These events, among many others, brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view.

The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. Congress, however, would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later after the massive unrest involving the Pullman Palace Car Company. In an attempt to repair ties with the American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified. While many credit Peter J. McGuire, who co-founded the American Federation of Labor, others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll-free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Flag

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The decision on which fabric to choose when purchasing an outdoor American flag (or any flag) is important. You need to take into consideration where you live (for flyability) and if you plan on flying the flag 24 hours/7 days a week (durability). United States Flag Store offers an American Flag Comparison Table to break down the flyability and durability for each fabric at different sizes to help consumers decide. Let’s take a look at the three main fabrics for flags: nylon, polyester and cotton.

Polyester is the most durable of fabrics for flags. It would be your choice if you choose to fly your flag 24/7. They are a heavier fabric, so they do require more wind to “fly”. There are two types of polyester that United States Flag store offers: sewn polyester and printed polyester. Sewn polyester flags would be the most durable of the two. They are made from a special type of polyester fabric that actually looks like coarse cotton in texture. The open weave reduces fabric stress, which makes it ideal to fly all day and in relatively high winds. These flags also feature sewn stripes and embroidered stars. Printed Polyester Flags are a more economical option. These flags are printed on silky-looking polyester fabric, but are lighter making them more flyable in less windy areas.

Nylon flags are considered the “all weather flag” due to its ability to fly in low winds and shed water, making it an ideal flag for wet climate areas. Nylon flags provide a bright, lustrous appearance making these United States Flag Store’s most popular outdoor flags.

Cotton flags, while vibrant in color, are not designed for outdoor use. Consumers can use cotton flags for outdoor use, but it is recommended for only short-term use. Cotton flags are more likely to fade, stain, shrink and lose their shape when displayed outside. Cotton flags are ideal for indoor display and are typically used as a burial flag or funeral flag (the 5 foot x 9.5 foot size that is used for covering a casket).

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Happy 4th of July!

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With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, there has never been a better time to begin decorating for the patriotic holiday. If you’re not sure on where to start, the United States Flag Store has everything you need. Take a look at all of our patriotic decorations and supplies and see which one is right for you.

In the weeks leading up to the 4th of July holiday, Patriotic Outdoor Decorations start to make their annual debuts in the yards of residents. Adorn your yard with a star-spangled windwheel that spins in the wind, hang an American flag windsock which shows patriotic spirit, or spruce up your mailbox with our magnetic mailbox covers.

Start the 4th of July celebration right with our Patriotic Party Supplies! From centerpieces to pool toys, we have a wide range of supplies to help your gathering go out with a bang! Show your American spirit with our patriotic party favors, with top hats, leis, and even a head bopper! Our party decorations can also turn your party into the biggest party in the neighborhood.

Pleated Fans are an excellent way to decorate pretty just about anything. You can adorn them on the railing of your stairs, on a stage, or even on a parade float. Many of our pleated fans are made with a super tough polyester material. Start off with 18inx36in or 3×6. Bunting can also be used together with pleated fans.

Let the 4th of July festivities begin! Happy 4th of July!

 

-CD

Celebrating Flag Day

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Flag Day is celebrated in America on June 14th to commemorate the day the first flag resolution was passed. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a flag resolution stating:

Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.

The first national observance of Flag Day was on June 14, 1877; 100 years after the flag resolution was adopted by the Continental Congress.

So, who came up with the idea of Flag Day? In the late 19th century, schoolteachers all over the United States began steering patriotic ceremonies commemorating Flag Day as a way to teach children about history. One such schoolteacher was Bernard J. Cigrand, who is often referred to as the “Father of Flag Day.” He lobbied Congress for many years for Flag Day to be officially observed.

Other patriotic groups, including the Colonial Dames and the Sons of the American Revolution, also spent years trying to convince Congress to make Flag Day official.

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation stating that June 14 shall be National Flag Day in May of 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after President Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949 that it was made official by President Truman, who signed an Act of Congress to designate June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.

Memorial Day

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On Memorial Day we honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military. This day is observed by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

By the time the American Civil War had ended in the spring of 1865, more lives had been claimed than in any other conflict is U.S. history. This required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries. By the late 1860s, various towns and cities had begun holding springtime tributes to these countless fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

While it is unclear where this tradition had originated, what with numerous different communities independently initiating the memorial gatherings, Waterloo, New York was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day by the federal government in 1966. Waterloo –  which first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866 –  was chosen because it hosted an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. General Logan chose May 30th and called it Decoration Day. The date was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular Civil War battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there. Many Northern states held similar commemorative events and by 1890, each one had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I.

Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually became to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. However during World War I, the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict. The holiday grew to commemorate all American military personnel who died in any war.

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30th, the date General Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. This change, that went into effect in 1971, also declared Memorial Day as a federal holiday.

United States Flag Store is here to answer all your questions. Feel free to give us a toll free call at 1-877-734-2458 or email us at support@onlinestores.com.