The Evolution of the American Flag

The American flag is a well-known symbol, yet its design story may be surprising to many.

In 1958, as the announcement of two new states joining the Union spread, the Eisenhower administration began receiving a wave of flag design proposals. “People started sending in ideas for the new flag,” said Dr. Jim Ginther, a supervising archivist. All these submissions are preserved at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas.

“There was a surge of public interest in the flag’s design. From July 1958 onward, the White House began getting various designs, and the Army Quartermaster Corps received ideas from across the globe,” he explained.

Unexpected Designers of the American Flag

The captivating history of the 50-star flag is explored in the inaugural episode of “Crazy American History with Eric Shawn,” currently available for viewing.

When Alaska became the 49th state in January 1959, a star was added to the flag. Hawaii followed as the 50th state, and the new flag was officially raised on July 4, 1960, at Fort McHenry in Baltimore—the site that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Yet, for two years, excitement about the flag design swept the nation until President Eisenhower settled on a new look for the Stars and Stripes.

In total, over 1,900 designs were submitted to the White House. Most of these came from schoolchildren as part of a project linked to the publication My Weekly Reader, but proposals arrived from adults both domestically and internationally as well.

“Some designs were simple sketches, while others were elaborate drafts. There were sewn flags made from fabric and some drawn with crayons,” Ginther noted.

This was also a chance for the Eisenhower administration to educate the public. They responded to submissions with letters from senior officials, producing materials explaining flag history, etiquette, and more.

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14, the date the Continental Congress established the flag back in 1777. Betsy Ross is often credited with creating the first flag, which featured a circular pattern of 13 stars representing the original colonies.

The design guidelines call for alternating red and white stripes with a blue field of stars. Interestingly, Ginther highlights that the placement of the stars was never strictly defined, leading to some unusual but creative designs.

Notably, however, drastic changes to the flag’s design were not on the agenda. “The flag has deep symbolism,” Ginther remarked. “Making significant alterations can be tricky because people are accustomed to how it looks, which is evident in the discussions and decisions about the flag.” He pointed out the practical considerations too; fundamentally changing the flag is costly, especially when considering its significance for the military.

Despite the variety of submitted designs, President Eisenhower chose a design that stayed aligned with historical traditions, adding two stars and maintaining an alternating pattern of six and five stars. This is the flag that stands for freedom and embodies American ideals as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

For more insights into President Eisenhower and the American flag, the first episode of “Crazy American History,” titled “The Fifty-Star Flag,” is available for viewing.