CONGRATULATION, THAT WAS THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. Francis Scott Key wrote of this flag in the National Anthem. He observed it flying over Fort McHenry as the British bombarded the installation during the War of 1812. This standard had fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. It was created in 1795. At that time, two new stars and stripes were added to the First Official Flag. However in 1818, when five more stars were added, the strips went back to the original thirteen. To the present day, the stripes remain at this number and only a star is added for each new state. Kentucky was the fifteenth state to join the union. Thus, it was the last state honored with a strip. Fortunately, the Star Spangled Banner and other historical flags are displayed on the ground floor of the Jefferson County Court House in Louisville KY. Learn more about the flag at usflag.org
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