When is Flag Day and Six Must-Know American Flag Facts

By Mike Case

“Resolved, that the Flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” – Saturday, June 14, 1777; Journals of the Continental Congress

There are many famous stories about the American flag, from Betsy Ross to the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima, to firefighters raising the flag at Ground Zero in New York after 9/11.

To help celebrate Flag Day on June 14, which is the “birthday” of the American flag, here are 6 less well-known facts that you might not know about the “Red, White and Blue.”

1. “Old Glory” is one of the most famous nicknames for the American flag.

The first U.S. flag to be called “Old Glory” was flown by an American sea captain in the 1820s. In the U.S. Civil War, the flag was hidden in a quilt to save it from being seized by Confederate forces. Today, the original “Old Glory” is part of the collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

2. During the Civil War, the United States flew four different versions of the national flag.

This included the 33-star version that flew over Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in 1861, at the beginning of the war, as well as the 36-star version that was used at end of the war, after Nevada joined the Union in October 1864.

3. The American flag planted on the moon by Neil Armstrong in 1969 is just one of many.

Most people are familiar with the first American flag that was planted on the moon by Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969. However, there are actually five other American flags on the moon left by later Apollo missions. After decades of exposure to harsh solar radiation and extreme temperatures, scientists aren’t sure what condition they are in, but there is some evidence that at least one is still standing. Unfortunately, the Apollo 11 flag is probably not one of them.

4. There are strict rules for American flag care and etiquette.

To show proper respect for the American flag and what it represents, those who fly the flag must follow proper flag etiquette, as outlined by the U.S. Flag Code. This includes guidelines such as:

• When placed on a single staff with other flags, the U.S. flag should fly above all others.
• The American flag should only be displayed from sunrise to sunset, but can be displayed 24 hours-a-day if illuminated.
• The flag should never touch the ground.
• A flag that is faded, torn, or frayed beyond repair no longer represents the dignity of the nation and should be removed from display. The United States Flag Code encourages respectful disposal of unserviceable flags through burning, burying in a wooden box, or ceremonial cutting. To properly cut an unserviceable flag, do not cut into the blue star field. Separate the star field from the stripes by cutting horizontally along its bottom and inside edge. Once separated, the pieces are no longer considered an intact flag and may be disposed of respectfully.

To learn more about flag etiquette and care, visit the USO’s partner Flags USA by clicking here. Flags USA produces American-made flags and stands with us in supporting American service members.

5. The American flag and the U.S. Army share the same birthday.

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress voted to create the Continental Army to fight against the British in the American Revolution; this would later become the United States Army. Although the Army and the American flag share the same birthday, the official flag of the U.S. Army wasn’t authorized until an executive order by President Eisenhower in 1956.

The Star Spangled Banner/Great Garrison Flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1814, seen here on display in 1873. | Photo credit George Henry Preble/National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission/Public Domain

6. The flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner” is known as the Great Garrison Flag.

This particular American flag was made by a Baltimore flag maker named Mary Pickersgill and five other women. In 1814, there were 15 states in the Union, so the flag Scott Key saw that famous morning featured 15 stars and stripes; at that time, a new star and a new stripe were added to the flag to represent new states joining the Union as the it grew. The Congressional Act of 1818 formally established adding a new star to represent new states and set the number of stripes back to the original 13.

Bonus: Did you know that the USO has an official flag?

Just like the American flag, the USO’s flag has also evolved and undergone changes throughout the years since our founding during World War II, including the number of stars. The original USO flag featured six stars, representing the six organizations that joined together to form the USO in 1941.

Between 1951-1957, the USO flag displayed 7 stars. The 7th star represented USO Camp Shows Inc., which operated in a partner role as its own entity until 1957, when it merged with the national USO organization and later became USO Entertainment. Other changes to the USO flag have included the shape of the letters and the arrangement of the official USO colors, which are appropriately named “Old Glory Red” and “Old Glory Blue.”

Join the USO in supporting those who serve beneath the American flag at uso.org/A250.

-This story was originally published in 2020. It has been updated for 2026.