The American Flag: An Exploration of a Historical and Popular Culture Icon

Abstract

The American flag was first an internationally recognized war sigil that later evolved into a popular culture icon. The flag is a complex symbol, its symbolic value varies from individual to individual and its dependent on the location and lived experience of that individual. The American flag is a national symbol that has been constructed by the United States' government and symbolizes a moral guidepost for citizens and immigrants. It is used in informing viewers on how American nationalism should be interpreted and applied to their own lives. The project will analyze the role of the flag at various points in U.S. history focusing on what the flag was meant to symbolize at those points by popular interpretation and engagement or rejection of the symbolization. The American flag has represented many United States political and cultural ideologies, including the American Dream, unity, freedom, liberty, justice, and equity. The nation has grown from colonies to a country with a powerful military and resulted in the first representation of the American flag as a war sigil.