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’
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Here we mark the price of freedom
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Is there a bug-egg emoji for this?
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Satla marshland in Bangladesh
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Remembering Jimmy Carter
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International Day of Color
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The Spirit of Harlem by Louis Delsarte
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A place called ‘Peace’ in India
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Marshland, Gloucester, MA
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The Colosseum of Rome, Italy
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Mardi Gras flower power
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Antarctica Day
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Wander the ancient medina
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First day of summer
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South Padre Island, Texas
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The Monastery of Roussanou, Greece
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Gamboa Crater, Mars
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Happy Thanksgiving
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Long-eared owl in the Czech Republic
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Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC
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A little bit of Wonderland in New York City
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Porto Timoni beach, Greece
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On this shore, history was made
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World Teachers Day
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Do spirits haunt the Gardens of Versailles?
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World Art Day
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Salmon return to the Copper River
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Staring down winter
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World Migratory Bird Day
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Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
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Over the boardwalk