How did we get so red, white and blue?

The American obsession with the red, white, and blue flag stems from its evolution from a utilitarian military ensign during the Revolutionary War into a sacred national symbol. Initially, the flag served merely to distinguish Continental forces from the British, lacking the standardized design or cultural reverence seen today. The Civil War proved the primary catalyst for this transformation, as both the Union and Confederacy utilized flags to solidify political identity and inspire patriotic fervor. This period cemented the flag as a central object of devotion, eventually leading to its widespread commercialization and the establishment of formal flag codes. While the flag remains a powerful emblem of national unity, its history is deeply intertwined with division and conflict, reflecting the complex, often contradictory, values of the American populace throughout the nation's development.