June 14 is Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777. Our nation"s first official flag had 13 stars and 13 red and white stripes to represent the original 13 colonies that broke from British rule. The stars were arranged on a blue background to represent a "new constellation." In 1795, two more stars and two stripes were added to reflect the entry of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union. Then in 1818, Congress passed a plan to go back to 13 stripes and add only stars for new states. The current version of the flag has been in effect since 1960, after Hawaii became a state the prior year. The flags we"re looking at here are flying in New Jersey"s Liberty State Park, with the Statue of Liberty in the background.
Celebrating Flag Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
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National Bison Day
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Looking down upon Edinburgh
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Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
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Point Reyes National Seashore in California
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Mute swans
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A Christmas market with a long history
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World Giraffe Day
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Lick Observatory
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Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
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A prison fit for a count
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The globe skimmers return
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A. M. Foster Bridge in Cabot, Vermont
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Mod gear
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White Sands National Park, New Mexico
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Bukhansan National Park, South Korea
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The mountain of 30,000 sakura
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Saint Andrews Day
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Casting a vote for women s history
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What’s blooming in New Zealand?
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Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota
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World Environment Day
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The story of a rediscovered redwood
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International Archaeology Day
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Taking the forest to the cloud
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The fantastic winter fox
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Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia
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Winter solstice
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Christmas Tree Point Road and Twin Peaks, San Francisco
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National Blueberry Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

