During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress
passed a resolution stating that “two Battalions of Marines
be raised” for service as landing forces for the recently
formed Continental Navy.

The resolution, drafted by future U.S. president John Adams
and adopted in Philadelphia on November 10, 1775, created
the Continental Marines and is now observed as the birth
date of the United States Marine Corps.

John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826)

June 14, 1777: During the American Revolution, the
Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating
that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate
stripes red and white” and  that “the Union be thirteen
stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”       

       
The national flag, which became known as the “Stars and Stripes,
” was based on the “Grand Union” flag, a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white
stripes. According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy
Ross designed the new canton for the Stars and Stripes, which
consisted of a circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the
request of General George Washington. Historians have been
unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.

With the entrance of new states into the United States after independence, new stripes and stars were added to represent
new additions to the Union. In 1818, however, Congress enacted
a law stipulating that the 13 original stripes be restored and that
only stars be added to represent new states.

Elizabeth Griscom Ross
(January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836)

In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, the Continental
Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which
proclaimed the independence of the United States of America
from Great Britain and its king.

An F-15D Eagle assigned to the 142nd Fighter Wing, Oregon
Air National Guard Base, Ore.

June 14, 1777: During the American Revolution, the
Continental Congress adopted a resolution stating
“the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate
stripes red and white” and that “the Union be thirteen
stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
Constellation.”      

       
According to legend, Philadelphia seamstress Betsy
Ross designed the new canton for the Stars and
Stripes, which consisted of a circle of 13 stars and
a blue background, at the request of General George
Washington. Historians have been unable to prove
or disprove this legend.          

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential
proclamation that designated June 14 as Flag Day.

The United States Army also celebrates the U.S. Army
birthday on this date, as Congress adopted the American
continental army after reaching a consensus position on        
June 14, 1775.

Four years after the United States won its independence from
Great Britain, 55 state delegates, including George Washington,
James Madison and Benjamin Franklin, convene in Philadelphia
to compose a new U.S. constitution on May 25, 1787.

George Washington (right)

Independence Hall‘s Assembly Room.