Five Things You Might Not Know About the U.S. Flag (in Honor of Flag Day)-- Part 4: Star-Spangled Banner Flag Had 15 Stripes

The flag immortalized by "The Star-Spangles Banner" had 15 stripes-- not 13!

In 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union and Kentucky joined in 1792.  Congress passed the second Flag Act on January 13, 1794, authorizing a new national flag with 15 stars and stripes.

During the War of 1812, Mary Pickersgill, her daughter, two nieces and an indentured black girl made a giant flag for Baltimore's Fort McHenry.

On September 14, 1814, after withstanding a heavy British bombardment, the fort raised the giant flag.  This triumph inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem which has since become known as our National Anthem.

--Cooter

U.S. Flag Day Tomorrow. Here's a Quiz on It-- Part 2

3.  Which of the following features of the actual Star-Spangled Banner flag is NOT true:

a)  It had 15 stars on it;

b)  It had 15 stripes on it;

c)  The stars were in a circle;

d)  It's now preserved at the Smithsonian Institution.

****************************

4.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was written during which war?

a)  French and Indian War;

b)  American Revolution;

c)  War of 1812;

d)  Civil War.

****************************

There is no contemporary account that says Betsy Ross actually made the first  U.S. flag.   What di we know for a fact about her role?

a)  She was a friend of Martha Washington;

b)  In 1870, Betsy Ross's daughter, Rachel Fletcher, publicized and testified as to Betsy's role;

c)  She designed the yellow "Don't Tread On Me" flag;

d)  She was elected to Congress

****************************

Answers below

3.  c

4.  c

5.  b

--CootFlag

How's Your US Flag Knowledge? (For U.S. Flag Day Tuesday, June 4)-- Part 1

Be sure to put your U.S. flag out this Tuesday because it is Flag Day.  It commemorates the adoption of the flag  by the Second Continental Congress of June 14, 1777.

RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.

The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on this date, but they were formed in 1775 on June 14.

Here are some multiple choice questions too test your knowledge (from the Current GA site).

1.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was written to celebrate U.S. forces surviving the British attack on:

a)  Independence Hall in Philadelphia;

b)  the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.;

c)  Fort McHenry in Baltimore;

d)  Fort Pulaski in Savannah.

******************************

2.  Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner" from the deck of a British ship.  Why was he there?

a)  Key was negotiating the release of an American doctor/spy, William Beanes;

b)  Key was spying on the British Navy;

c)  Key was a journalist covering the battle;

d)  Key was a British agent.

ANSWERS BELOW.

1.  c

2.  a

Put Your Flag Out Tuesday.  --Cooter

Civil War Trust Battles in September-- Part 1: Fort McHenry Bombardment

1st--  1862:  Battle of Chantilly, Va.

2nd--  Federal forces occupy Atlanta, Ga.

8th:  1781:  Battle of  Eutaw Springs, S.C.

11th--  1777:  Battle of Brandywine, Pa.

11th--  1814:  Battle of  Lake Champlain, N.Y.

12th--  1814:  Battle of North Point, Md.

13th--  1814  Bombardment of Fort McHenry, Md.  You know,  that Star-Spangled thing.

Oh, Say Can You See.  --Da Coot

Today Is Flag Day-- Part 3: That "Star-Spangled Banner"

The flag made by Betsy Ross depicted 13 red and white horizontal stripes in alternating colors, and a blue field with 13 stars arranged in a circle.  Other flags were created at the time with stars in a staggered pattern other than her circle.

The original 13 star flag remained the official flag of the United States until the addition of two more states, Vermont and Kentucky.  A fifteen star flag made its appearance in 1785, but this flag not only had 15 stars, but also the addition of two more stripes.  This new flag was the one that flew at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, the "Star-Spangled Banner."

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet was aboard a British ship (where he had gone to negotiate the release of a friend) when the fort was bombarded.  This was the inspiration to pen the poem "The Star-Spangled Banner."

It started as a poem, but music was added and it has been the National Anthem ever since, though not officially for many years.   Currently the Fort McHenry flag is at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C.

--CootFlag

MLB in the Northwest Chicago Suburbs--Part 1: "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

From the September 7, 2016, Hi-Liter "A brush with the big leagues."

"Take Me Out To the Ball Game" was written in 1906 and is sung at every major league and many minor league parks, usually during the 7th inning stretch.

It was written by Jack Norworth and Albert von Tilzer and is the third most-sung song in the United States after "Happy Birthday" and the Star-Spangled Banner."  And, for the 7th inning is is often sung by those with great voices and, especially at Wrigley Field, some of those vocals are hard to take.

--DaCoot