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The colors of the flags of many countries have a particular meaning, often with great significance to the peoples of a nation. The American flag's red, white and blue has made it among the most recognizable of flags, but the symbolism of these colors is often misconstrued, since there is none.
Creation
The colors of the American flag had no particular symbolic meaning at the time of the flag's creation. The actual creation of the flag is a historical puzzle, with many historians at odds over the circumstances surrounding it.
Great Seal
The Great Seal came to fruition when the country's fledgling government decided to have a seal for America that represented the beliefs of the people of the new nation. The Seal made its debut on July 20, 1782, five years after that of the American flag, with specific meaning assigned to its colors.
Significance
In the Great Seal, the color white was a beacon of purity and innocence. Red conveyed bravery and valor, while blue stood for justice and the ability to persevere despite hardship.
Considerations
Most historians agree that the stars and stripes of the flag did have a special significance, as the stars were a symbol of the heavens and the stripes were supposed to represent the streaming rays of the sun.
Reagan's Statement
In 1986, President Reagan declared that the colors of the flag embodied American values, with red for courage, white for intentions that were pure, and blue for justice and vigilance.
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