Flag facts
The idea of Flag Day, which was observed Saturday, was created by the Elks Lodge and officially established by President Harry S. Truman, himself a member of the Elks. ? The creator of the U.S. flag is popularly thought to be Betsy Ross.
? The flag of the United States has 50 stars for the 50 states and 13 colonies that rebelled against the British crown and became the first states of the union.
? The Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose the colors, and there is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.
? Nicknames for the flag include the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory and the Star-Spangled Banner (also the name of the country’s official national anthem).
? The American flag has different names depending on where or how it is displayed in formal and military contexts. It is an “ensign” when it is displayed on a vessel and “colors” when it is carried by foot, as by the infantry. When it is displayed by the cavalry or on a car or aircraft, it is called a “standard.”
? The traditional bugle call for raising the flag is reveille. On the first note, the flag is briskly raised, which should take about 20 seconds.
? The traditional bugle call for U.S. civilians lowering the flag is taps. The military plays “to the color” or retreat. The Army plays taps at funerals and as the last call of the night.
? Union Army Brig. Gen. Daniel Butterfield composed taps while in camp at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, in 1862 to replace the more formal “Tattoo” (lights out).
? It is called taps because it was often tapped out on a drum in the absence of a bugler.
? The American flag always flies on top of the White House whether or not the president and first family are at home.
? The U.S. flag flies 24 hours a day in two unusual locations – Antarctica and the moon.
? Idaho is the only state that never has been under a foreign flag.
? Constituents may arrange to purchase flags that flown over the Capitol by contacting their congressmen. A certificate signed by the architect of the Capitol accompanies each flag.
? Congress has not always said the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each day. The House began doing so in 1988 and the Senate in 1999.
? As of July 4, 2007, the 50-star flag became the version in longest use. It was revised in 1960 after Hawaii gained statehood in August 1959.