Alexandria Wyckoff
Also known as Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Stars and Stripes, the American flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. The design holds a rich history, along with a set of laws, customs, and courtesies to properly take care of, display, and retire a flag. If you want to learn a small piece about the United States’ history, check out these six things you never knew about the American flag.
6. There were 27 flag designs
Starting our list of things you never knew about the American flag, there have been 27 iterations of the flag. When the first flag flew, it featured thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. When Kentucky and Vermont joined the Union, two more stars and stripes were added. After a while, Congress set the number of stripes at 13 and instead just added stars when a new state joined. The U.S. has flown 27 different official versions, with the last two versions being in use the longest. As of now, there are 50 stars and 13 stripes.
5. Over 3,000 flag ideas were sent in
Fifth on our list of things you never knew about the American flag is how many ideas were sent in for the 50-state design. President Eisenhower and his committee expected Alaska and Hawaii to be added to the United States, and needed a new design that had 50 stars. When the approval came, over 3,000 citizens sent in their ideas, ranging from elementary crayon drawings to professionally-made flags.
4. Six American flags made it to the Moon
Next on our list of things you never knew about the American flag is how many of them made it to the Moon. While most people have seen Neil Armstrong on the moon with an American flag, he’s not the only one to leave his mark on the Moon’s surface. Five future Apollo missions, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17, ended with an astronaut placing a flag on the Moon, bringing the total as of now to six.
3. A joint committee decided on the design
Rounding out the top three things you never knew about the American flag is that a joint committee selected one of the flag designs. When President Eisenhower was in office in 1953, he decided the best method to pick a final flag design would be to appoint a joint committee comprised of Armed Forces members, the Interior Department, the State Department, and the Commission on Fine Arts. Years later, Eisenhower was given a final briefing on flag design suggestions, leading to the one we have today.
2. The flag can be used to call for help
Second on our list of things you never knew about the American flag is that it can be used to call for help. As stated in the American flag code, the union, or the blue area featuring all 50 stars, should always be displayed at the top. When you fly the flag with the union down, it represents a signal of distress “in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”
1. The current flag is the only one that’s lasted more than 50 years
Last but not least on our list of things you never knew about the American flag is that the current flag is the only design that has lasted for more than 50 years. There have been many changes to the flag over the years as more states were added. However, the one we currently observe is the longest-running iteration, mostly due to the fact that no states have been added to the union since 1959.