Thursday, June 14, 2012

FLAG DAY – JUNE 14

flying-flag

How much do you know about the American Flag. Test your knowledge by answering the following true or false questions.

1. The first flag on the moon was made of teflon.

2. There are 15 stripes on the flag.

3. Betsy Ross made the first American flag.

4. Flag Day was started by a school teacher.

5. Saluting the flag fell out of favor during WWII.

6. The current flag was designed by a teenager.

7. Using a stars and stripes napkin is “flag abuse”.

8. Puerto Rico may become the 52nd star on the flag.

9. It’s illegal to buy flags made outside the United States.

 

Answers:

1. False. On July 16, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin placed the first American flag on the moon. It was made of nylon.

2. False. The 13 stripes on the flag honor the 13 British colonies that declared independence from the United Kingdom, thereby becoming the first states in the Union.

3. False. Although she did apparently embroider George Washington's ruffles, there is no historical evidence that Ross sewed the first American flag, a claim that was made by her grandson in 1870

4. True. On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York, planned a celebration of the American flag for his students. It was made an official holiday by Pres. Woodrow Wilson in 1916

5. True. During World War II, saluting the flag was deemed to be too similar to Hitler's Nazi salute, so Americans began holding their hands over their hearts singing the National Anthem.

6. True. After Hawaii and Alaska were inducted into the Union in 1958, Congress had to create a new flag. It chose a design by Robert Heft a 17-year-old student who originally made it for a high school project.

7. True. One of the many rules outlined in the extensive Flag Code states that the American flag cannot be used on anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.

8. False. Trick question. If Puerto Rico becomes a state—which looks likely with an initial referendum to be voted upon on this coming November—the flag will have to accommodate a 51st star.

9. False. Currently, China exports almost $3 million worth of United States flags every year. Although proposed legislation would prohibit importing for sale foreign-made flags, the bill is not expected to pass.

7 comments:

  1. Very appropriate for the day. Well, we can't discredit Betsy Ross' grandson .. can we? Interesting information.

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  2. I got most of those correct. In order to graduate from 8th grade in Chicago we had to pass a flag test. Of course that was before anyone made it to the moon. :)

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  3. Thanks, guys, for this very appropriate and informative quiz. We try to fly our flag everyday here in our site in Benson. For the summer, we have put up a lighted flag and a red-white-and-blue rope light, which are on during holiday times. Our display is not often seen, however, because (1) it gets dark late, and (2) no one goes by here after dark -- the few of us here for the summer are all tucked in watching reruns!

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  4. You will never believe this but when I started to read the first three statements, I said to myself...how do I tell her those are true...hehe Then I scrolled down and saw the answers. I didn't realize you were giving us a quiz. Great idea.

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  5. I always thought that every day was flag day in the U.S.A.!!

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  6. I learned a lot, thanks for the quiz!

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  7. Thanks, Sandie. I love anything that teaches us about our Flag. We (now I) have flown it according to regulations 24/7 since 911. When we were gone we purchased extra all weather flags in the event that the one flying would tear, and we always had at least a half dozen spotlights and receptacles on hand. Something some might not know is that the Fire Department or American Legion will dispose of a damaged Flag in the dignified manner it deserves.

    Thanks, again, for reminding us all how important the Flag is and the respect it should command from EVERY American.

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Thanks for visiting today. I look forward to reading your comments. Have a beautiful day.