Many people do not know the real story behind the US Flag that we see today during national events and holidays. Robert Heft is credited for being the one behind the creation of the 50-star flag. He was only 17 years old, and a high school student in Ohio at the time.
Heft made the first 50-star American flag by hand. In 1958, he knew that the states of Alaska and Hawaii would be added to the Union, so he decided to come up with a new flag design for his school project. Stan Pratt, Heft’s teacher assigned students to think of their projects and they would be graded according to creativity. Heft already knew what he was going to make.
Heft was interested in history, politics and the government. Since he knew that Hawaii and Alaska would become the newest states of America, he thought of a 50-star American flag for his school project. Other kids had to think of other creative ideas while Heft was already busy at work.
According to Heft at the time, the American flag design remained the same since 1912, featuring only 48 stars. Heft wanted to make minor changes that will retain the original form and look of the U.S. flag. The flag at the time only had 48 stars which represented all the existing states. Heft began by taking the flag in their own home then cut and rearranged the material. He added two more white stars on the upper left part of the banner. The ultimate flag featured five rows of six stars alternating with another four rows of five stars, totaling 50. Heft worked and sewed the flag for a whole weekend.
When Heft passed the final flag design to Mr. Pratt, his teacher was not very amused. Pratt gave Heft a mere B minus for the project, saying that it lacked creativity. However, he did tell Heft that if his version of the American flag would be adopted by the government, he would raise the score.
Heft was not discouraged by the setback and immediately brought the flag to Congressman Walter Moeller. Moeller had the government adopt the new 50-star flag design after Hawaii and Alaska were added. The new 50-star U.S. flag was first raised on Independence Day in 1960 at the Capitol dome in Washington. There were a number of important people who witnessed the event like President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Congressman Moeller and Heft himself.
Through the years, the flag spread throughout the nation. Heft kept the original model and even got offers up to $350,000. He refused to sell his handmade flag. Heft even made a 51-star flag, thinking that Puero Rico would become the newest state. All these should serve as a reminder to people to believe in a young mind’s dream and potential. If Heft gave up easily, the American flag would have not changed until a later time. Initial failures should motivate you to strive harder and look for people who believe in your potential.
Labels: American flag, custom flag, custom flag maker, custom flag. personalized flag
by:
The Flagman
