Betsy Ross and General George Washington

June 14, 1777: During the American Revolution, the
Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that
“the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate
stripes red and white” and that “the Union be thirteen
stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
Constellation.” The national flag, which became
known as the “Stars and Stripes,” was based on the
“Grand Union” flag, a banner carried by the Continental
Army in 1776 that also consisted of 13 red and white
stripes. According to legend.

Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross designed the new
canton for the Stars and Stripes, which consisted of a
circle of 13 stars and a blue background, at the request
of General George Washington. Historians have been
unable to conclusively prove or disprove this legend.

President Herbert Hoover signed a congressional act making “The
Star-Spangled Banner” the official national anthem of the United
States.

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964)

Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843)

February 23, 1945: During the bloody Battle for Iwo Jima, U.S.
Marines from the 3rd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 28th
Regiment of the 5th Division took the crest of Mount Suribachi,
the island’s highest peak and most strategic position, and raised
the U.S. flag. Marine photographer Louis Lowery was with them
and recorded the event.

Americans fighting for control of Suribachi’s slopes cheered the
raising of the flag, and several hours later more Marines headed
up to the crest with a larger flag. Joe Rosenthal, a photographer
with the Associated Press, met them along the way and recorded
the raising of the second flag along with a Marine  photographer
and a motion-picture cameraman.

Louis R. Lowery
(July 24, 1916 – April 15, 1987)

Today is not not only Valentine’s Day, it also marks Oregon’s
birthday! The Beaver State turns 163 years old today!

The modern United States receives its crowning star when President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation admitting Hawaii into the
Union as the 50th state (above). The president also issued an order
for an American flag featuring 50 stars arranged in staggered rows:
five six-star rows and four five-star rows. The new U.S. flag became
official July 4, 1960.