President George Washington once said, "If we desire peace it must be known at all times that we are ready for war."

Since 1776, no generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom through armed conflict with the forces of tyranny and oppression. More than 40 million men and women have put on the uniform of a United States soldier, sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman, or pilot. Of these, more than one million paid the price of freedom with their lives.

Learn more about the history of the American Flag:

• Flag History
• Displaying the Flag Indoors
• Displaying the Flag at Half-Staff
• Saluting the Flag
• Burial Flags

The Pledge of Allegiance

On September 8, 1892, a Boston-based youth magazine "The Youth's Companion" published a 22-word recitation for school children to use during planned activities the following month to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of America. Under the title "The Pledge to the Flag", the composition was the earliest version of what we now know as the Pledge Of Allegiance.