Answers to the flag quiz:
1. There are seven red stripes and six white stripes; the stripes at the top and the
bottom are both red.
2. The blue area is called the field, union, or canton.
3. There are seven short stripes and six long ones.
4. The 50 stars are arranged in five rows of six stars alternated with four rows of five stars.
5. The addition of stripes and stars was abandoned when there were fifteen stripes
on the flag. See the next answer.
6. Fifteen stars (and fifteen stripes) adorned the flag that inspired our national
anthem. There were more than fifteen states at the time, but it was not until 1818
that Congress enacted a return to thirteen stripes and the addition of stars for new states.
7. Six points. According to the legend, Betsy Ross only knew how to sew a pattern
for making six-pointed stars, but George Washington showed her a way to construct
one for five-pointed stars instead, which he felt were more aesthetically pleasing.
An example of a Mason familiar with geometry!
8. Never! On certain holidays and during official periods of mourning, the flag is
flown at half-staff, not half-mast, unless the public building happens to be a ship.
(This is what is known as a trick question.)
9. The Union Jack, flag of Great Britain. The St. Andrew's Cross on the British flag
reflects the addition of Scotland and England to form the United Kingdom.
10. Australia and New Zealand use Southern constellations on their flags. The flag of
Liberia, a country founded by freed American slaves, has a single star and is patterned
after the American flag. The flag of Brazil also has stars on it. There are others as well.

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Reference: Bennett, M. R. "…So Gallantly Streaming." New York; Drake Pub., 1974.

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Roger M. Firestone is a 32°, K.C.C.H., member of the Scottish Rite Valleys in Alexandria, Virginia, and Minneapolis, Minnesota; Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5 in St. Paul, Minnesota; and three York Rite Bodies. He is a Past Commander of the Alexandria Council of Kadosh, Past Master of National–Stansbury–Dawson Lodge No. 12, and Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons in D.C. He also serves Henry Lodge No. 57 in Fairfax, Virginia, as Musician and Lodge Education Officer.