US National Flag

• The US flag has 50 stars representing each state and 13 stripes representing the original colonies.

• The color of the flag have specific meanings: red for valor, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

• There have been 27 official versions of the American flag, each with different star arrangements.

• The current flag design with 50 stars was created by a 17-year-old high school student, Robert G. Heft, as a class project.

• The first American flag was designed by Betsy Ross in June 1776 after a request from George Washington.

• The flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics of the US national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

• A 15-star, 15-stripe flag that was the inspiration for the national anthem is on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

• The flag flown at half-staff for 30 days after national tragedies or the death of prominent figures.

• There are six American flags on the moon, with one planted by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission having fallen over.

• The US Flag Code dictates that the flag should be flown illuminated at night and should not be flown in bad weather.

• The flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly; it can be flown upside down only as a signal of distress.

• Contrary to popular belief, the flag does not need to be burned if it touches the ground; it should be retired when it's damaged beyond use.

• The Flag Code prohibits using the flag as clothing.

• People who study flags are known as Vexillologists.

• The US flag should never touch the ground, and when displayed on a wall or window, the blue field should be in the upper left corner.

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