Two hundred thirty years ago today, the Continental Congress of the then-13 United States of America threw off the British Union Jack to adopt "a new constellation," composed of red and white stripes with white stars on a blue field.
On May 25, 2007, the 32nd state in the Union added the words "Made in America" to that description -- at least for flags sold in Minnesota.
"No person in the business of offering goods at retail may sell or offer for sale in this state an American flag unless the flag was manufactured in the United States of America," reads the law authored by state Rep. Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, and signed by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
If Old Glories made in China didn't appear to be a problem, take a look at a U.S. Census report that found Americans imported $5.5 million worth of flags in 2005, an 8 percent increase over the previous year.
Yet not everybody is buying them, says Chris Binner, vice president of Valley Forge Flag in Pennsylvania and a member of the Flag Manufacturers Association of America.
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"We always run into retailers who want to purchase from overseas," he told the News Tribune editorial page staff yesterday. "I just think it's a bad business decision on their part. They're going to be stuck with a bad product."
Binner, of course, has a vested interest in the matter. But he's correct that the flag isn't just any product for which a few bucks can be saved through cheap foreign labor.
"Our customer base would say it's virtually un-American to make a flag overseas," he said, adding homage to those who paid the ultimate price to defend it.
That said, the same reverence isn't shared by consumers of everything from flag-emblazoned paper plates to underwear, items clearly prohibited by the United States Flag Code. Even President Bush may have committed a faux pas or two, stepping on a flag-motif rug and autographing a flag for a supporter.
And while the world went aghast over Janet Jackson's exposed breast at the 2004 Super Bowl, Binner said a malfunctioned wardrobe of another sort -- an American flag outfit worn by Kid Rock at the same event -- got his blood boiling.
"I'm the only flag guy here. I've got issues with him and everybody else is upset about her," he said.
He's thrilled about Minnesota's law, however, saying he hopes other states will follow suit. And even though the law doesn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2008, retailers already seem to be complying. A look at several Duluth-area store shelves yesterday found almost all stocking only made-in-USA flags, though several displayed foreign-made bunting and flag paraphernalia, a fuzzy area under the law. One person's picnic decorations may be another's symbol of liberty and justice for all.
"We make the most emotional piece of cloth in the world," Binner said.
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And forever in peace may it wave.
