U.S. Flag Quiz

2. Who designed the first official U.S. flag?

• Benjamin Franklin
  It's not known for certain who designed the first U.S. flag, but it is likely that the flag was designed by Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson.
• Francis Hopkinson
  It's not known for certain who designed the first U.S. flag, but it is likely that the flag was designed by Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson.
• Betsy Ross
  It's not known for certain who designed the first U.S. flag, but it is likely that the flag was designed by Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson.

3. The colors of the 13 red and white stripes symbolize:

• Courage and purity
  No -- there has never been an official or documented explanation for the color scheme of the U.S. flag.
• England and liberty
  No -- there has never been an official or documented explanation for the color scheme of the U.S. flag.
• It is not known what the colors symbolize
  Correct! There has never been an official or documented explanation for the color scheme of the U.S. flag.

4. The Continental Congress approved the design of the first official U.S. flag on:

• July 4, 1776
  Incorrect. June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day.
• June 14, 1777
  That's right! June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day.
• May 29, 1790
  Incorrect. June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day.

5. Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing which of the following?

• The burning of Washington, DC
  Incorrect. Key was inspired by the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
• The bombardment of Fort McHenry
  You got it!
• The inauguration of President Lincoln
  Incorrect. Key was inspired by the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

6. Who made the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner?

• Mary Pickersgill
  Correct! The U.S. Army commissioned Mary Pickersgill, a professional flagmaker in Baltimore, Md., to make two flags for Fort McHenry, one of which was the flag that Francis Scott Key witnessed flying over the fort during and after the bombardment. The flag is now at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
• John Stafford
  Sorry, wrong answer. The U.S. Army commissioned Mary Pickersgill, a professional flagmaker in Baltimore, Md., to make two flags for Fort McHenry, one of which was the flag that Francis Scott Key witnessed flying over the fort during and after the bombardment. The flag is now at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
• Betsy Ross
  Sorry, wrong answer. The U.S. Army commissioned Mary Pickersgill, a professional flagmaker in Baltimore, Md., to make two flags for Fort McHenry, one of which was the flag that Francis Scott Key witnessed flying over the fort during and after the bombardment. The flag is now at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

7. The flag has 13 stripes. How many of them are red?

• Seven
  You got it! There are seven red stripes and six white ones. (A red stripe is at the top and bottom.)
• Five
  Sorry, wrong answer. There are seven red stripes and six white ones. (A red stripe is at the top and bottom.)
• Six
  Sorry, wrong answer. There are seven red stripes and six white ones. (A red stripe is at the top and bottom.)

8. Nicknames for the U.S. flag include:

• "Old Glory" and the "Union Colors"
  Sorry, wrong answer. It is not known when the flag was first called the "Stars and Stripes," but the nickname "Old Glory" was applied to the flag for the first time in 1831 by a sea captain named William Driver.
• "Old Glory" and the "Stars and Stripes"
  You got it! It is not known when the flag was first called the "Stars and Stripes," but the nickname "Old Glory" was applied to the flag for the first time in 1831 by a sea captain named William Driver.
• "Stars and Bars" and the "Tricolor Flag"
  Sorry, wrong answer. It is not known when the flag was first called the "Stars and Stripes," but the nickname "Old Glory" was applied to the flag for the first time in 1831 by a sea captain named William Driver.

9. According to the U.S. Flag Code, the U.S. flag should never be:

• Raised quickly
  Sorry, wrong answer. According to the code, the flag should be raised briskly, and under certain circumstances it may be flown at night.
• Flown at night
  Sorry, wrong answer. According to the code, the flag should be raised briskly, and under certain circumstances it may be flown at night.
• Used as clothing
  That's right. According to the code, the flag should be raised briskly, and under certain circumstances it may be flown at night.

10. The last new star was added to the flag in which year? It was the year after Hawaii became the 50th state.

• 1940
  Sorry, wrong answer. Hawaii joined the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, and the new star was added to the flag the following Fourth of July.
• 1950
  Sorry, wrong answer. Hawaii joined the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, and the new star was added to the flag the following Fourth of July.
• 1960
  Correct! Hawaii joined the Union on Aug. 21, 1959, and the new star was added to the flag the following Fourth of July.