WEBVTT 00:05.140 --> 00:07.550 For more than 200 years , the American 00:07.550 --> 00:09.328 flag has been the symbol of our 00:09.328 --> 00:11.790 nation's unity , as well as a source of 00:11.800 --> 00:13.911 pride and inspiration for millions of 00:13.911 --> 00:17.730 citizens . Born on June 14th 17 00:17.730 --> 00:20.740 77 the second Continental Congress 00:20.740 --> 00:22.907 determined that the flag of the United 00:22.907 --> 00:24.960 States be 13 stripes alternating 00:24.960 --> 00:28.140 between seven red and six white , and 00:28.140 --> 00:31.240 that the union be 13 stars white and a 00:31.240 --> 00:33.280 blue field representing a new 00:33.280 --> 00:37.280 constellation between 17 77 and 00:37.280 --> 00:40.470 1960 . The shape and design of the flag 00:40.470 --> 00:42.780 evolved into the flag presented before 00:42.780 --> 00:46.240 you . Today , the 13 horizontal stripes 00:46.240 --> 00:48.500 represent the original 13 colonies , 00:48.810 --> 00:51.032 while the stars represent the 50 states 00:51.040 --> 00:53.930 of the union , the colors of the flag 00:53.930 --> 00:56.560 or symbolic as well red symbolizes 00:56.570 --> 00:59.140 hardiness and valor . White signifies 00:59.150 --> 01:01.680 purity and innocence , and blue 01:01.690 --> 01:04.500 represents vigilance , perseverance and 01:04.500 --> 01:07.750 justice . Traditionally a symbol of 01:07.750 --> 01:10.430 liberty , the American flag carried the 01:10.430 --> 01:12.450 message of freedom and inspired 01:12.450 --> 01:16.200 Americans both home and abroad . In 18 01:16.200 --> 01:19.240 14 Francis Scott Key was so moved that 01:19.240 --> 01:21.240 seeing the Stars and Stripes waving 01:21.240 --> 01:22.907 after the British shelling of 01:22.907 --> 01:25.073 Baltimore's Fort McHenry that he wrote 01:25.073 --> 01:27.184 the words of the Star Spangled Banner 01:27.690 --> 01:30.330 in 18 92 the flag inspired Francis 01:30.330 --> 01:32.052 Bellamy to write The Pledge of 01:32.052 --> 01:34.120 Allegiance , our most famous flag 01:34.120 --> 01:37.690 salute and patriotic both . In July 01:37.690 --> 01:41.430 1969 the American flag was flown in 01:41.430 --> 01:43.960 space when Neil Armstrong planted it on 01:43.960 --> 01:47.650 the surface of the moon . Today , our 01:47.650 --> 01:49.760 flag flies on constellations of Air 01:49.760 --> 01:51.927 Force satellites that circle our globe 01:52.290 --> 01:54.401 and on the thin flash of our aircraft 01:54.401 --> 01:56.512 and harm's way in every corner of the 01:56.512 --> 01:59.090 world . Indeed , it flies in the heart 01:59.090 --> 02:01.257 of every American who serves our great 02:01.257 --> 02:03.540 nation . The sun never sets in our U . 02:03.540 --> 02:05.920 S . Air force , nor on the flag we so 02:05.920 --> 02:09.870 proudly cherish . Since 17 76 02:09.880 --> 02:11.880 no generation of Americans has been 02:11.880 --> 02:14.047 spared the responsibility of defending 02:14.047 --> 02:16.700 freedom . Today's airman remain 02:16.700 --> 02:18.830 committed to preserving the freedom 02:18.840 --> 02:20.670 that others won . Four us for 02:20.670 --> 02:23.520 generations to come at home and abroad . 02:24.240 --> 02:26.296 Since the dawn of the 20th century , 02:26.540 --> 02:28.760 Airman have proudly flown the flag at 02:28.770 --> 02:32.020 every major conflict on lands and skies 02:32.030 --> 02:34.110 around the world . It is their 02:34.110 --> 02:37.120 responsibility , our responsibility to 02:37.120 --> 02:39.300 continue to protect and preserve the 02:39.310 --> 02:41.730 rights , privileges and freedoms that 02:41.740 --> 02:45.420 we as Americans enjoy today . United 02:45.420 --> 02:48.130 States flag represents who we are that 02:48.130 --> 02:50.186 stands for the freedom we'll share . 02:50.186 --> 02:52.550 And the pride and patriotism we feel 02:52.550 --> 02:55.320 for our country way cherish its legacy 02:55.750 --> 02:58.300 as a beacon of hope for one and all 02:58.410 --> 02:59.950 long may it wave .