Flag Day is Friday–the 225th anniversary of Old Glory becoming the national flag. Test your knowledge about this American symbol:
1. The 13 stripes on today’s flag represent the 13 original states. How many stripes are red and how many are white?
2. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was inspired by an attack on Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. How many stars adorned Ft. McHenry’s flag?
3. As new states are added, when do their stars appear on the flag?
4. How many stars were on the flag during World War II?
5. How many presidents have served under the current flag?
Answers: 1. There are seven red and six white. 2. It had 15. (It also had 15 stripes. In 1818, the flag was altered to include one star for each state and 13 stripes.) 3. New stars are added on July 4 following the admission of a state. 4. There were 48. Alaska (statehood: Jan. 3, 1959) added a 49th star in 1959. Hawaii (statehood: Aug. 21, 1959) added the 50th star in 1960. 5. The 50-star flag has flown over 10 presidents, beginning with President Dwight Eisenhower in 1960.