On The American Flag
Roger M. Firestone
10159 Turnberry Place, Oakton, Virginia 22124–2847

We salute it at the beginning of our Masonic meetings, and we honor it in our ceremonies. But how well do we really know this symbol of our country? Here, in the spirit of Flag Day 2000, is a quiz about "Old Glory." The answers appear on the following page. No peeking at an actual flag for the answers!

1. The United States flag has thirteen stripes of alternating colors. But
are there six white and seven red or six red and seven white?
2. To the upper left of the flag, there is a blue area with stars. What is
this area called?
3. Some of the stripes are shorter than the others because of the presence
of the blue area. How many are shorter?
4. The 50 stars form a roughly rectangular pattern. Exactly how are
they arranged?
5. Originally, the plan for the design of the flag called for adding both a
stripe and a star when a state joined the Union. How many stripes
did the flag have when this was realized to be impractical and the
number returned to the original thirteen?
6. How many stars spangled the banner that Francis Scott Key saw
through the dawn's early light over Fort McHenry?
7. The stars on the flag have five points. How many points did Betsy
Ross plan for the stars originally?
8. When should the flag on a public building be flown at half-mast?
9. What other country's flag design reflects the addition of territory?
10. Name two countries whose flags have stars on them.

Don't feel bad if you score low; this test is meant to measure your powers of observation and knowledge of trivia, not your patriotism! Click here for the answers.