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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A winter’s holiday ends
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The Guggenheim Bilbao turns 25
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Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
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Plate ice along Lake Superior, Grand Marais, Minnesota
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A bridge too Fawr
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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A legend and a legendary home
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Falling for the Canadian Rockies
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National Bison Day
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A cozy winter village
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Pink apple blossoms, Avila Beach, California
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Playa del Silencio, Spain
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Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
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World Rainforest Day
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Freshwater plants in Aquário Natural, Brazil
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International Womens Day
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April Fools Day
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West Cornwall Covered Bridge, Connecticut
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Badlands National Park in South Dakota
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The borrowed days are here
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Celebrating Labor Day
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Sweet! It’s maple syrup season
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International Jazz Day
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The long and wiggling path
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Is that a face in the sand?
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Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
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harlem
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Happy Birthday, J.R.R. Tolkien!
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Bernina Pass, Graubünden, Switzerland
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Christmas star lanterns, Germany
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

