On June 14, 1777, the Second Constitutional Congress adopted a flag with thirteen stripes and thirteen stars to represent our Nation, one star for each of our founding colonies. The stars were set upon a blue field, in the words of the Congress’s resolution, “representing a new constellation” in the night sky. What was then a fledgling democracy has flourished and expanded, as we constantly strive toward a more perfect Union.
1777年6月14日，第二届制宪会议(Second Constitutional Congress)决定采用有十三道条纹和十三颗星星的旗帜来代表美国，每颗星代表一个创始殖民地。据制宪会议解释，这些以一片蓝色为背景的星星“代表夜空中的一个新星座”。随着我们为建设更完美的联邦而不断努力，当时初生的民主体制已经发展壮大。
Through the successes and struggles we have faced, the American flag has been ever present. It has flown on our ships and military bases around the world as we continue to defend liberty and democracy abroad. It has been raised in yards and on porches across America on days of celebration, and as a sign of our shared heritage. And it is lowered on days of remembrance to honor fallen service members and public servants; or when tragedy strikes and we join together in mourning. Our flag is the mark of one country, one people, uniting under one banner.
在我们经历的成功和斗争中，国旗始终与我们同在。当我们继续在海外捍卫自由民主时，它在我们的船舰和世界各地的军事基地上飘扬。在庆祝节日时，它插遍美国各地的庭院和阳台，象征着我们共享的传统。在缅怀殉职的军人和公仆时或在悲剧发生后集体哀悼时，我们会降半旗志哀。我们的国旗标志着一个国家及全体人民在一面旗帜下团结一心。
When the American flag soars, so too does our Nation and the ideals it stands for. We remain committed to defending the liberties and freedoms it represents, and we give special thanks to the members of the Armed Forces who wear our flag proudly. On Flag Day, and during National Flag Week, we celebrate the powerful beacon of hope that our flag has become for us all, and for people around the world.
当国旗升起时，我们的国家及国旗所代表的理想也随之弘扬。我们坚定不移地捍卫它所代表的自由，也对身着国旗并为之自豪的军人表达特别的谢忱。在国旗日和国旗周期间，我们赞颂国旗，对于我们乃至全世界人民，它代表着一座强大的希望灯塔。
（责任编辑:allen）
