June 14 is Flag Day, which commemorates the official adoption of the American flag in 1777. Our nation’s first 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, as Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, two more stars and two stripes were added. It was this version that served as muse to poet Francis Scott Key, who penned the poem that would later serve as the lyrics for ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ He wrote the words after watching the flag fly over the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. The flags in our image are rippling over Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Celebrating Flag Day: ‘O long may it wave’
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Swimming with the sea cows
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In celebration of America’s national bird
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A crane for good luck in today’s big game
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Cross this bridge if you dare
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The rainbow connection
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Red squirrel
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In the Garden of Europe
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Remembering Krakatoa
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Tough turf
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Room at the top?
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International Jazz Day
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3,000 years of history
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The call of the wild in Alaska
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Presidents hear the echo of history
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World Laughter Day—it s a hoot
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Cheese! We ll go somewhere where there s cheese!
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Getting to the bottom of the underwater waterfall
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Wake up, it s Darwin Day
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Pretty poetic for a pit
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World Octopus Day