Oldest United States Flag
A brass plate bears the earliest known depiction of the United States flag. The plate, some two inches wide, may have decorated a sword belt. It was found in the remains of an encampment at Pluckemin, N.J. that was occupied by artillery troops in the winter of 1778-1779. The engraver mistakenly included 14 stripes. ("Scientific American," April 1988, p. 20)

The First Regimental Flag of the U.S. Army
The oldest Army flag dates between 1787 and 1791. According to Flag myth, it was designed by Gen. Lafayette and presented to Gen. Washington during the American Revolution. (Quaife, History of the U.S. Flag, pp. 116-117)

Where Does the Word "Flag" Come From?
The word "flag" is derived from the old Saxon or Germanic word "fflaken" or "ffleogan", meaning to fly or to float in the air. The name flag is new generally confined to the pattern which flies from a vertical staff, while the type that happens from a horizontal bar is called a banner. In modern times, the flags currently in use are, in general, confined to the following: banner, standard, ensign, jack, pennant, guidon and colors. (Barraclough, ed, Flags of the World, Rev. ed. 1969, pp. 1, 11.)

A Vexillologist
A flag expert is called a "vexillologist."

Marquis de Lafayette
At his request, since 1834, the U.S. Flag has flown continuously next to the grave of the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, near Paris, France.

Flag Day
June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. While Flag Day was a popular celebration in scores of communities for many years after Wilson's proclamation, it didn't receive its official Congressional designation until 1949.

A New Constellation
On June 14, 1777 the Founding Fathers gave the United States its first symbol with just 28 words in a jewel-like message: "The Flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 stars, white on a blue field representing a new constellation."

The Founders of the American Republic wanted to give a constant reminder that the Liberty they had bequeathed to was:
a "New Constellation" in the firmament of Nations;
a "New Constellation" in the galaxy of governments;
a "New Constellation" in the relationship of man to government, government to man and both to God.

Tallest U.S. Flagpole
Historically in the United States the tallest flag pole was erected outside the Oregon Building at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California and trimmed from a Douglas Fir. The flagpole stood 299 feet 7 inches high and weighed 51.8 tons.

Currently, the tallest standing flagpole is in Gladsen, AL measuring 242 feet high with a 5 H.P. motor to hoist a flag 60 feet by 100 feet at the Pollock Motor Company premises.

Largest U.S. Flag
The Humphreys Flag Company of Philadelphia, PA completed a 505 feet by 255 feet flag in 1992. It weighs one and one-half tons. The flag was commissioned by Ski Demski of Long Beach, CA. The fabric alone cost $30,000 wholesale. Sewing it took "several thousand man hours."