The American flag is a symbol of freedom and unity, but its design could have been different. In 1958, as the country prepared to add two new states to the union, the Eisenhower administration received over 1,900 design submissions for a new 50-star flag.
A Symbol of Freedom
The story of the 50-star flag is a fascinating one. The flag’s design has undergone many changes since its inception in 1777. The Continental Congress enacted the flag on June 14, 1777, which is now observed as Flag Day.
Betsy Ross is credited with designing the first flag, with 13 stars in a circle representing the original 13 colonies. The guidelines for the flag’s design call for alternating red and white stripes with a blue field for the stars. However, the way the stars were to be laid out was never specified, leading to many creative and interesting design submissions.
The Eisenhower administration used the opportunity to educate Americans about the flag and its history. They responded to every submission with a letter from a top White House official, thanking them for their contribution and providing information about the flag’s history and etiquette.
In the end, President Eisenhower selected a design that added two stars to the existing flag, alternating rows of six and five stars on the blue field. This design has remained the same to this day, a symbol of American freedom and unity.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
