A hundred years ago, then-President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as a chance to “rededicate ourselves to the nation,” as he wrote in his proclamation. He wanted Americans to take Flag Day to leave behind “every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty and right” and instead “stand with united hearts, for an America which no man can corrupt, no influence draw away from its ideals, no force divide against itself.”
If you’re stuck at your desk instead of celebrating in the summer sun, here are 13 facts to share about the American flag, compiled from the History Channel, Mental Floss, ABC News and PBS:
The version of the flag the U.S. uses today is the 27th.
The 50th star was added in 1960, after Hawaii joined the U.S.
At one point in 1795 the flag had 15 stripes, one for each state.
Vendors often use the Pantone shades 193 C and 281 C for the flag’s red and blue.
The flag is always flying at the White House, Fort McHenry and at the Iwo Jima memorial.
Almost all American flags made today were produced in the U.S.
There’s no evidence Betsy Ross designed the first American flag, but she was paid at one point for creating “ships colours.”
Other people think a man named Francis Hopkinson helped out with the flag’s original look.
The Pledge of Allegiance was penned in 1892.
