June 14 is Flag Day, celebrating the 13 stripes and the 50 stars that symbolize our humble beginnings and our growth into one unified nation.
On June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress adopted a resolution that read the following: "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."
The resolution didn't mention the significance behind the choice of red, white and blue — because the three colors did not have any official meaning when the flag was adopted in 1777. But have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of the flag's colors? There's plenty of symbolism there too. Red implies hardiness and valor. White stands for purity and innocence. Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. These qualities that our country was founded on should carry through in our lives and businesses today.
In an article on Time.com, Mike Buss, a flag expert with the American Legion, said that the most obvious reason for the flag's colors is that they were simply taken from our mother country's flag — the Union Jack of England. "Our heritage does come from Great Britain, and that was some of the thought process that went about in coming up with our flag," Buss said in the article.
I think it's also important to connect how these colors relate to our working lives.
RED: Hardiness and valor stand for the ability to endure difficult conditions; determination in facing great danger, courage and bravery.
Determination keeps people hammering away. Determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances.
Courage is regarded as one of the major human virtues. Courage is bravery, valor, standing up to danger, guts and nerve all rolled into one.
