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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Assembling the Smithsonian
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Sunny day, sweepin the clouds away
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Aprils full moon
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Autumn equinox
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A Eurasian red squirrel in Switzerland
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Rays on parade
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A day for the dolphins
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Apples ready for harvest in Minnesota
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A growing business
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International Sloth Day
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European river otter, Netherlands
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World Dolphin Day
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Bavljenac Island
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Wedded Rocks, Japan
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Celebrating a young girl s age-old discovery
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Merry Christmas!
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Pacific Rim Whale Festival
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Venice by night
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Fog above the forest
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Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
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A glittering diamond in the rough
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Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
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‘Stepping’ into Black History Month
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Inhale and exhale, it’s Yoga Day
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Huntington Beach Pier, California, at sunset
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It s National Mushroom Month!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
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National Aviation Day
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World Rivers Day
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Speed skaters in the Gangneung Oval, Pyeongchang, South Korea
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

