FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2023-111 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (June 14, 2023) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps from Steve Kovacs, we look at the evolution of the stars and stripes on “Old Glory”.  

TEN-HUT!

Today is Flag Day in the US, in honor of the adaptation of the first flag design of the United States: thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen stars on blue background representing the original thirteen states.

OK, so most realize more stars were added to represent the growing number of states to the current fifty stars.

But were more stripes added?  Absolutely.  There were fifteen stripes for a while, representing the joining of Kentucky and Vermont to the Union; thus having fifteen states.  That was so from 1795 to 1818.  Then the stripes were returned to the original thirteen count and the stars were used to be inclusive of new states joining.

On a side note, a huge fifteen stripe and fifteen star US flag flew over Fort McHenry outside of Baltimore referenced by Francis Scott Key when he wrote the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814.

On a side note, a huge fifteen stripe and fifteen star US flag flew over Fort McHenry outside of Baltimore referenced by Francis Scott Key when he wrote the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814.

This map of the US was created by Johnson in 1866 – the flag had 36 stars at that point.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.