Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877. U.S. flags became common in Northern public schools in the 1890s, and John Philip Sousa composed 'The Stars and Stripes Forever' in 1896. During the Spanish-American War, Americans began to stand up during the national anthem.Flag code came much later

"During World War I bands started to play 'The Star-Spangled Banner' at baseball games. It was not until 1923 that a national conference approved a code of flag etiquette, and not until World War II that the code was made into federal law.

"So despite the legend of Betsy Ross (which was not published until 1870), the Stars and Stripes were not considered holy when the nation was founded. Flag worship is a modern invention."

-- James Hijiya, "Flag idolatry reflects a national religion" 1997-06-26, updated 2011-01-10