FACTS ABOUT  THE AMERICAN FLAG

1. The first American flag was nicknamed the Continental Colors. It was used by the Second Continental Congress at the time of the Declaration of Independence.  It had the Union Jack (the British flag design) in the upper corner and 13 red and white stripes.  Surprisingly, it resembled the British East India Company flag.  
2. On June 14, 1777, in what became known as the Flag Resolution, Congress: “Resolved, that the flag of the U.S. be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be the stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”  The design was based on one by Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  At the time, he was a Congressman from New Jersey.
3. The flag first flew over Fort Stanwix during its siege in August, 1777.
4. It is a myth that Betsy Ross designed, and sewed, the first flag. This was first proposed by her grandson in 1870.  He claimed he was told the story when he was 11-years-old.  There is no evidence to support his claim.
5. There is no official explanation for why the colors were chosen. Clearly, the Founding Fathers were still influenced by England, flag-wise.  It was Charles Thompson, secretary of the Continental Congress, in describing the Great Seal of the U.S., who assigned meaning to the colors.  Red for hardiness and vigor, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
6. The flag was first called “Old Glory” by a sea captain named William Driver. He flew a 10’x17’ version over his ship. 
7. The flag has gone through 27 changes over the years. In 1795, the number of stripes was increased to 15 to reflect the admission of Vermont and Kentucky.  This was the flag that flew over Ft. McHenry when Francis Scott Key was inspired to write “The Star-Spangled Banner”.  In 1818, it was decided to return to and lock in the 13 stripes.  It was not until 1912 that Pres. Taft issued an executive order clarifying how the flag should look.  For instance, it should have five-pointed stars instead of six-pointed. The current 50 star version has been flying since 1960.  The design of the blue field was by high schooler Robert Heft who won a contest ordered by Pres. Eisenhower.  This design holds the record for longest term.
8. There was little flag-flying by citizens until the Civil War when the flag became a national patriotic symbol. In 1885, a Wisconsin teacher named Bernard Cigrand proposed a national flag day.  On June 14, 1916, Pres. Wilson asked for a national day of observance of the flag.  It was not until August 3, 1949, that Pres. Truman created National Flag Day and set it on June 14.
9. There are six American flags on the Moon (or on a Hollywood sound stage).
10. There are some myths about the flag: 1.  It is not illegal to wear clothing with the flag on it.  2.  You do not have to destroy the flag if it touches the ground.  3.  You can fly the flag at night as long as there is illumination.  4.  It is not reserved for veterans’ coffins only.  5.  It is not illegal to burn the flag in protest.  Not since Texas v. Johnson when the Supreme Court found in favor of Gregory Lee, who burned one at the 1984 Republican National Convention.  It is your freedom of expression to burn the flag.

https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/

https://www.history.com/news/american-flag-origins

https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-2020/american-flag-myths.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/news-entertainment/a36571386/american-flag-facts/