HistoryOct 26
We decided that to celebrate our 10 x 20 American flag, facts and trivia about Old Glory are in order. Here at Z&M, we love trivia, so we thought we’d send a little your way.
Join our Twisted Wine Club and see this iconic standard in-person from the VIP deck at our Vineyard in Lawrence.
Let’s do a deep dive on American flag facts!
AMERICAN FLAG FACTS FOR BEGINNERS
1777
The year that Congress voted to adopt the current flag design. The date was June 14th, which we still celebrate today as Flag Day (it’s also the Army’s birthday)! In 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating this date as Flag Day.
In its original form, Old Glory sported 13 stars and 13 stripes, in honor of the 13 original colonies.
More Stripes and More Stars
Initially, each new state got its own star and its own stripe on the flag. Obviously, a quick glance at our current standard indicates the US dropped this practice at some point. Things escalated quickly, with 15 stars and 15 stripes by 1818.
Unsurprisingly, that was the year Congress decided to slow its roll and go back to 13 stripes. From then on, they asserted, every new state would simply get a star on the flag’s field of blue.
When Hawaii Became a State, Things Got Tricky
In 1959, Hawaii became a state. Problematically from a design standpoint, it became our 50th state. It was going to be a challenge to fit that new star on the flag in an aesthetically pleasing way.
The US had figured out how to make 49 stars look good after Alaska became a state earlier that year. It was simple multiplication: seven rows of seven. Where would that fiftieth tricky star go?
We Like Ike
That was when Kansas native Dwight D. Eisenhower struck upon the brilliant idea to crowdsource the design. Because this content existed before the internet, we avoided embarrassing entries with suggestions like, “Just rename the flag ‘Flaggy McFlagface.’”
Instead, because it was an earlier, simpler time, people took the President seriously, entries poured in by the thousands. One came from a 17 year old Ohio high school student, Robert Heft. Heft designed his flag as part of an assigned class project, for which he received a B-.
However, Heft had an agreement with his teacher, Stanley Pratt. In the unlikely event that the White House accepted his design, Pratt would change Heft’s grade to an A.
Heft didn’t just get his A. He also got his design on the flag we know and love today. Visitors to the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, KS can see his original design entry.
Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue
We all know that the American flag colors are red, white, and blue. But what do they mean?
Red Courage and strength
White Virtuous and untarnished
Blue Justice, diligence, endurance, and determination
Did Betsy Ross Really Make the First Flag?
That Betsy Ross designed and made the first flag is one of those American flag facts everyone thinks they know. But did Ross really do it?
Unfortunately, we don’t really know for sure. While it’s certainly possible, the only real evidence that exists comes from her grandson, 100 years after the fact. He provided affidavits from family members to the Historical Society of Philadelphia asserting that his ancestor designed it.
Of course, we may have no concrete reason to doubt the Ross family. On the other hand, without any other supporting primary documents, we can’t say definitively that Betsy Ross made the flag.
The Sun Never Sets on the American Flag (Except When It Does)
Technically speaking, Americans are only supposed to leave their flag up from sunrise to sunset. If the weather is bad, however, flags are supposed to come down. A flag with a spotlight trained on it may stay up 24 hours, because it is appropriately illuminated.
Certain flags have approval to remain up 24/7. Among those places: Fort McHenry in Baltimore (birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner), and the White House.
Sometimes, Flag Burning is Actively Encouraged
Once a flag has become too ripped and torn, weather-beaten and faded, it must come down. If you can’t simply wash your flag to restore it to its original brilliance, you must destroy it. Many people are surprised to find out that the approved means of destruction is burning.
Now, we understand if you’re a little uncomfortable burning an American flag in your backyard. Fortunately, you have options. You can turn it into a local Boy Scout or VFW chapter to have your flag properly destroyed.
How Many US Flags Are On The Moon?
This might be one of our favorite American flag facts, brush this one off and impress your family and friends! There are six US flags on the moon (if you believe the moon landing was real…which we totally do…)
SEE OLD GLORY AT OUR VINEYARD IN LAWRENCE, KS
As a veteran-owned business, we are proud of being an all-American winery with our roots firmly planted in Kansas. If these American flag facts have whetted your appetite for all things Old Glory, come see us! Our Lawrence, KS vineyard features a 10 foot by 20 foot American flag, visible from our VIP upper deck.
How do you rate VIP access to our deck? Membership in our Twisted Wine Club. It’s a pretty exclusive group, so if you’re curious about joining, contact us.
You won’t regret becoming a part of our close knit community. We frequently host events at our winery in Leavenworth and our vineyard in Lawrence. These happenings are open to everyone, but the Twisted Wine Club benefits make you eligible for some extra perks.
Stop by for a tasting, and feel good about where you buy your wine. Support a veteran-owned business with a commitment to supporting the military and local communities.