The designer of our current 50-star flag was Robert Heft. It was 1958 and there was some talk that Alaska and Hawaii were going to officially become states 49 and 50. One of his high school teachers capitalized on the current events of the day and had his students design a new flag incorporating the two new states. Inspired by Betsy Ross, (and cutting up his parents’ flag), Heft did just that, arranging the stars so it wasn’t very evident that he had added any. His teacher gave him a B-, saying that the design was unoriginal. When Heft balked at the grade, his teacher told him that if he could get the flag adopted by Congress, he would bump the grade up to an A. Heft jumped at the opportunity, sent the flag to his congressman, and after a long campaign and a refusal to give up, he ended up getting the flag approved. Heft got his ‘A’ as promised. Since then, Heft’s original homemade flag has flown over every single state capitol building, over 88 U.S. embassies, and over the White House for five administrations. He is now deceased, but has left behind a design with 51 stars ready to go if the need arises.
happy 4th of july!
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credits: mental floss, quora, wiki, readers digest
What a lovely story for this holiday weekend! Maybe D.C. will finally win statehood and we will need the flag with 51 stars! Great post, Beth!
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that would be great – thanks!
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Happy Independence Day Beth……
Oh …a few years ago I wrote a poem about a party on Independence day….
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2018/01/07/red-white-and-blue/
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thanks, ivor. and why am i not surprised? you are one of the most prolific poets i’ve ever encountered -)
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Thank you Beth, that’s a wonderful complement 😆
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How interesting, Beth. Thanks for teaching me something new about the USA.
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i’m learning every day, right along with you –
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Such a great story. Happy 4th Beth 🇺🇸
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thanks, and you too. i love that he didn’t give up
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A very interesting story.
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Good story. I Googled it to what he did. Very clever.
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such an eccentric at a young age
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Thanks for bringing us that story, which I’d never heard. Here’s more information, including a recent photo of Robert Heft:
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it’s an interesting one, isn’t it? thank you
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Wow ~Thanks for sharing. Happy Independence Day!
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he was the definition of gumption – thank you
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Such an interesting story, thanks for sharing! Happy 4th of July!
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thank you!
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This is a great story Beth. Thanks for sharing with those /(like me) who never heard it – might also explain a bit the ‘never give up’ & ‘persue until you succeed’ mentality of the Americans!
Happy 4th July.
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thanks, kiki!
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LOLOL Michael Jordan was told he’d never be a basketball player. That’s why no one should ever believe what anyone else tells them. No one knows what someone else can do.
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exactly
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so good to know
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I love his story
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If D.C. gets statehood, that 51-star flag could come into play. Too bad he can’t get another A.
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Absolutely
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I’m glad he went for the extra credit. Happy 4th, Beth.
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And didn’t give up )
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I love this story for the Fourth, Beth. Thanks for the discovery!
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My pleasure
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I didn’t know this! Thank you for enlightening me.
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You’re so welcome
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WOW! Never knew that!!!
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Amazing young man
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Brilliant! (♡´❍`♡)*✧ ✰ 。*
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Determined
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Indeed! (•‾⌣‾•)و ̑̑♡
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Should have had an A+ from the beginning. Such a great story. I love this background info…and I love the flag and all it stands for in our great country.
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I agree
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Love this story!
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I love his determination
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Thank you, I did not know this. . . just saying, Claudia
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It was new to me too –
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Happy 4th to you as well Beth.
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🎉
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Happy Fourth, Beth! I had no idea! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story! Cher xo
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My pleasure, a boy with a plan
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Love it!!!
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Thanks for the history lesso – I had never heard this story. Happy 4th!
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You’re welcome)
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Hi, Beth. Such an interesting piece of history. I have learned something new. Have a great day.
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🇺🇸
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Cheers.
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Interesting facts, Beth! I only knew the Betsy Ross story and even was at that house where she sewed the flag. Happy Independence Day, Beth!
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Cool!🇺🇸
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😊💖
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Love it – happy 4th to you and stay safe!
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Thanks, and you too🇺🇸
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Oh really? I never knew the story behind that flag~ and I’m ashamed to say I thought there were 50 stars 😂 in my defense I’ve never set foot on American soil
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There are now, you are correct, but when he made it there only 48 and the other 2 were not officially States yet, so you were right!🇺🇸
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Learned something today! Happy 4th Beth!
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Happy to share )
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Brand new story for me.
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This was interesting and informative. Learned something new today.
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great –
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What a wonderful story. I had no idea. Thank you, Beth.
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the difference a student / teacher can make –
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Absolutely! 😀
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What a sweet story about a really big deal, Beth! Loved learning this 😁
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I thought it was wonderful
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