'Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner still wave'

The words of Francis Scott Key's immortal lyric, written in his jubilation that the American flag remained after the bombing of Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812, are no less meaningful today, a little more than nine months after terrorists tried to destroy all that the flag stands for. But the land of the free and the home of the brave will not be cowed by the likes of Osama bin Laden and his terrorist murderers. Although not a national holiday, June 14 is a special day of recognition which honors 225 years of the flag of the United States of America.
Although our new nation had been proclaimed on July 4, 1776, the flags of the various states or military units were carried by the men and ships of war until the following year. The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777.
New constellation
& quot;Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation. & quot;
The idea of the United States as a "new constellation" is perhaps more apt now than it was more than two centuries ago.
No doubt, within the first few years of the nation's birth, there must have been many who saw the United States, not as a constellation, but rather as a shooting star, destined to fade from view after its initial glow.
Today, however, the constellation that now comprises 50 stars serves as a beacon of freedom everywhere -- a symbol of liberty wherever the Stars and Stripes flies.