What is it about flags that can inspire, incite, and invite so much emotion in man? Other symbols signify nationalism or brotherhood, such as America's eagle. Yet worldwide, the symbol eliciting the most feeling is undeniably that colored strip of cloth.

Or wood. The earliest flags discovered by archaeologists date more than two millennia and were made of wood, metal, or stone. As far as we know, the earliest textile flag appeared around the third century C.E. and came from that advanced civilization from which modern democracies derive, ancient Rome.

June 14 is Flag Day. Most Americans have read that Gen. George Washington asked seamstress Betsy Ross to sew a flag similar in design to the Grand Union flag carried in battle in 1776. This was a circle with 13 white stars in the canton (the upper left corner) against a blue background, and a field (the background color) of 13 stripes alternating red and white, both representing the number of states. As states were added the number of stripes increased and again decreased to the more practical 13, with new states represented by the number of stars.

The flag was adopted by an act of Congress on June 14, 1777. On the 100th anniversary of that act, the first Flag Day was observed.

But did you know:

Red, perhaps symbolizing bravery and strength, is the most popular color, appearing on nearly 75 percent of flags around the world. White is a close second said to symbolize peace and honesty, and blue (truth and justice) appears on about half. Some nations use green (hope and love) to symbolize religious beliefs. Note that some dispute the meanings of flag colors, citing a lack of hard evidence, so they are better ascribed to developed custom more than historical intent.

Flags were used throughout history, including by navies at sea, as signals for communication across great distances.

The hoist is the edge of the flag nearest the pole. Flags are generally hoisted on the side corresponding with writing. For most cultures whose languages are written from left to right, flags are also hoisted on their left. In countries such as many in the Arab world, whose writing is from the right to left, flags are hoisted from the right.

Flag size and shape are anything but uniform, with some widths much longer and others more square-like. The biggest flag ever flown is said to be a U.S. flag at the 1886 Olympic torch relay at Hoover Dam. It was 255 feet by 505 feet. According to vexillologist Dr. William Crampton, founder of the United Kingdom's Flag Institute, the biggest flag which flies constantly is in Brazil and is 230 feet by 328 feet. Vexillology is the study of flags.

More than a simple piece of cloth, perhaps what a national flag most represents is common history, and the ideals all people it represents hold sacred. So to celebrate Flag Day, Americans may be inspired to set aside any differences, and focus on that which unites us.

Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at Sholeh@cdapress.com.