American History Hit

Episode: Who Designed the American Flag?
Date: September 1, 2025
Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Mark Leepson (Historian, Author of Flag: An American Biography)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Don Wildman explores the origins, myths, and enduring symbolism of the American flag with historian and author Mark Leepson. Together, they trace how the flag’s design emerged, discuss the reality behind famous legends like Betsy Ross, and examine how the emblem evolved into a unique point of national unity and identity. The conversation weaves through the flag’s legislative history, its use in war and protest, and its iconic role in American culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Flag as a Unique American Symbol

• Don’s Opening Narrative (01:53–03:15):
  Don transports listeners to an American homeroom, highlighting the daily ritual of the Pledge of Allegiance and suggesting the extraordinary reverence Americans have for their flag—unique even compared to other countries.

• Americans’ Singular Attachment to the Flag (04:44–08:45):
  Leepson details six uniquely American practices related to the flag:

  • The Pledge of Allegiance:
    “Since 1892, American school children have pledged allegiance to the flag... I couldn't find another country... that's been ingrained in there.” (Leepson, 05:38)
  • Flag Day (June 14):
    Marked annually since 1916 by presidential proclamation.
  • National Anthem & March:
    “Our national anthem is an ode to our flag, the Star Spangled Banner...” (Leepson, 06:19), and “The National March is The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.” (06:35)
  • Non-Profit Flag Groups:
    Active since the late 1800s promoting proper flag use.
  • Federal Flag Code (since 1942):
    “The flag code is very much on the books... guidelines, not laws...” (Leepson, 07:38)

The Early Design and Meaning of the Flag

• Origins, Evolution, and Ambiguity (09:00–10:27):

  • The flag’s early history is “filled with myth and misinformation” since colonial Americans did not venerate it as we do today; it functioned more as a governmental/military standard.
  • The 1777 Continental Congress resolution lacked specific design instructions beyond 13 stars and 13 stripes.

• Derivation from Other Symbols (10:27–11:12):

  • The American flag bears similarities to the British Union Jack and the flag of the East India Company, raising questions about its derivative aspects.

• Who Actually Designed the American Flag? (11:12–14:22):

  • Francis Hopkinson:
    “...one of the designers of the Great Seal of the United States... sent a bill to Congress that listed... 'design of the flag of the United States.'” (Leepson, 11:43)
  • No definitive evidence exists for a single "first flag;" early variants had diverse star shapes and arrangements.
  • The original “Continental Colors” (Grand Union Flag) actually included a British Union Jack in the canton.

The Flag as a Force for National Unity

• Unifying Symbol Amidst Division (14:22–15:02):

  • Initially, flags of disparate militias represented local, not national, identities.
  • The federal flag gradually became a common symbol.

• The Civil War & “Cult of the Flag” (15:07–17:49):

  • “When the American flag came down at Fort Sumter... it went up in the North... all of a sudden, people are putting it in front of their houses...” (Leepson, 15:25)
  • The postwar decades saw widespread public veneration, new rituals (like the Pledge), and the rise of organizations such as the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution using the flag as central symbols.

Mythology and Legend: Betsy Ross

• Debunking (and Understanding) the Legend (20:04–23:39):
  • Betsy Ross was a real upholsterer in revolutionary Philadelphia, but “Americans didn’t know the name Betsy Ross until 1870... one of her grandsons held a press conference... claiming she designed and made the first flag...” (Leepson, 20:57)
  • The story’s source is affidavits from family members—a bottom-rank form of historical evidence.
  • The familiar tale and even the “snip” trick are legend, “there is not a shred of solid historical evidence that it’s true.” (Leepson, 22:51)

The Flag as Cultural Record and Wartime Symbol

• Flag Through Wars (24:13–27:16):
  • “You can almost tell the history of the American flag through America’s wars. It was born during the Revolutionary War...” (Leepson, 24:23)
  • Major moments:
    • Star-Spangled Banner emerges from War of 1812.
    • Use institutionalized during the Mexican War.
    • Civil War triggers mass public display.
    • WWII: Iwo Jima flag raising becomes “the most reproduced photograph of the 20th century.” (Leepson, 26:14)

Formalization and Institutionalization

• From Poem, to Song, to National Anthem (27:54–29:47):
  • Star Spangled Banner became national anthem in 1931.
  • 19th-century flag design and arrangements were diverse; no official standardized design until 1912 (48 stars, via President Taft’s executive order).

Modern Rules, Flag Code, and Protection Laws

• Flag Code and Misconceptions (31:05–33:08):
  • The Flag Code, adopted federally in 1942, “is a series of guidelines. They're also filled with misinformation. Sorry to tell you, if a flag touches the ground, you don't have to burn it.” (Leepson, 31:27)
  • Early 20th-century flag protection laws mostly addressed commercial misuse; not federally codified until 1968, and rendered unenforceable by Supreme Court rulings in 1989/1990 as violations of free speech.

The Flag as Enduring, Flexible Symbol

• Final Thoughts (33:58–35:08):
  • Don reflects on the “unifying symbol” of the flag, a piece of fabric that “basically symbolizes us as a nation very beautifully, very simply.”

Memorable Quotes

• On American Flag Veneration:
  “There’s something unique about Americans and how we feel about our flag.”
  – Mark Leepson (04:44)

• On the Betsy Ross Legend:
  “It's ingrained in us, all of us. And it could be true, but there is not a shred of solid historical evidence that it's true.”
  – Mark Leepson (22:51)

• On the Flag and War:
  “You can almost tell the history of the American flag through America's wars. It was born during the Revolutionary War, the Star Spangled Banner happened during the War of 1812...”
  – Mark Leepson (24:23)

• On Symbolic Power:
  “In the end, you’re left with a symbol, a piece of fabric that basically symbolizes us as a nation very beautifully, very simply... a unifying symbol.”
  – Don Wildman (33:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:53 | Opening story: American students and flag rituals | | 04:44 | Unique American relationship with the flag (6 points)| | 09:00 | Early design: myths and realities | | 11:12 | Origins: Francis Hopkinson and the first US flags | | 15:07 | Civil War and rise of “cult of the flag” | | 20:04 | Betsy Ross: legend vs. evidence | | 24:13 | Flag’s history as the story of American warfare | | 27:54 | National anthem’s history and formalization | | 31:05 | Flag Code, protection laws, and modern guidelines | | 33:58 | Final reflection on the flag as a unifying symbol |

Episode Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, Don Wildman’s narration melds earnest patriotism with a spirit of inquiry and myth-busting. Mark Leepson’s expertise brings humor and candor, gently guiding listeners from cherished legends toward historical nuance. The tone remains conversational and accessible, blending factual investigation with reflections on national identity.

For Listeners Looking for More

Read Mark Leepson’s Flag: An American Biography for a deeper dive into the fascinating, winding history of America’s most recognizable symbol.