NationStates Jolt Archive

Why are there 50 stars on the US flag?

50 states? though i have a feeling i'm about to be told i'm wrong and this is a trick question...

50 stars for 50 states I thought. I'm sure the flag has changed each time a new state has come along.

50 stars for 50 states I thought. I'm sure the flag has changed each time a new state has come along.

Actually, I think we jumped from 48 to 50 because Alaska and Hawaii were added so close together. I've never heard of a 49 star flag anyway.

Why are there 50 stars on the US flag?

It's a conspiracy! :eek: It's a secret message from the Illuminati, they want to
*Thump*
Ahahaha... There are no such thing as the Illuminati, and certainly no conspiracies. :) Just ignore the first part :)

50 stars for the 50 states that was in the union in 1959. There have been 26 changes to the flag since june 14, 1777. :)

Have a nice day kids, and remember, there is no conspiracy. :) Fnord

Actually, I think we jumped from 48 to 50 because Alaska and Hawaii were added so close together. I've never heard of a 49 star flag anyway.

There's a joke about that on the Simpsons. I'm not sure if any really exist. (I beleive that the stars being added and a territory gaining statehood require two separate pieces of legislation. But I could just be an idiot in these matters.)

Why are there 50 stars on the US flag?
Well, everybody knows that the 13 stripes are for good luck, so I guess the 50 stars are probably to represent the 50 men that President Washington killed with his bare hands during the Battle For Mount Rushmore. Or something like that.

this is a trick question...

.

Well, everybody knows that the 13 stripes are for good luck, so I guess the 50 stars are probably to represent the 50 men that President Washington killed with his bare hands during the Battle For Mount Rushmore. Or something like that.
http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/3826.jpg

*hand on heart*
*sings*
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light...

*tears well in eyes*

http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/3826.jpg
*hand on heart*
*sings*
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light...

*tears well in eyes*

Hilarious. Mocking US nationalism is a bit easy, but, hey, I needed an easy laugh.

Hilarious. Mocking US nationalism is a bit easy, but, hey, I needed an easy laugh.
thanks.... i guess... http://www.ironmaiden.org/images/smilies/extras/eusa_shifty.gif

There was a 49 star flag for about a year around 1959/60 - the present one dates from Independence Day 1960 I think.

thanks.... i guess... http://www.ironmaiden.org/images/smilies/extras/eusa_shifty.gif

No need for the smiley. I liked the inclusion of the start of the awful national anthem. "Oh, say can you see..." is often enough to make me crack up.

*hand on heart*
*sings*
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light...

*tears well in eyes*

LOL! 10 points to you.

http://www.usflag.org/history/the50starflag.html

Bottom of that page has them all.

No need for the smiley. I liked the inclusion of the start of the awful national anthem. "Oh, say can you see..." is often enough to make me crack up.
hehe well Bottle broke my sarcasm-meter earlier today in another thread so i wasn't sure ;)

it is a funny anthem though. i mean its almost as ridiculously violent and militaristic as the french... :eek:


edit:LOL! 10 points to you.
i'll be sure to spend them wizely! :P

*buys 10 points worth of american imported guns & porn*

hehe well Bottle broke my sarcasm-meter earlier today in another thread so i wasn't sure ;)

it is a funny anthem though. i mean its almost as ridiculously violent and militaristic as the french... :eek:


Rebellious Scots to crush...

Rebellious Scots to crush...
lol! shush you.... :p

the scots are evil - they deserve it ;)

and at least we can

Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
:p

They should change the flag and polarize the stars to represent the partisan division in the US now... heh....:p

While it's fairly inevitable (and thus loses some of its humour) that the very first "* and stripes" was the "Grand Union Flag" (Union Flag in the corner[1]), I find it absolutely hilarious that the "Betsy Ross" version essentially has the EU flag in the corner..!

[1] Although technially it's the pre-Ireland[2] 1606 version.
[2] Let's not go into that, eh? We're talking about America, even if half the residents claim Irish descent... ;)

it is a funny anthem though. i mean its almost as ridiculously violent and militaristic as the french... :eek:]

"Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."

vs.

"Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras.
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!
Aux armes citoyens
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons"

Sure, "qu'un sang impure abreuve nos sillons" is a bit brutal, but nowhere near as gaudily bombastic (literally!) as "the bombs bursting in air."

Rebellious Scots to crush...
You know, I always wished the English would have adopted this song as their new anthem:
"A SONG OF PATRIOTIC PREDJUDISE"
by
Flanders and Swann

The English, the English, the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest.

The rottenest bits of these islands of ours
We've left in the hands of three unfriendly powers
Examine the Irishman, Welshman or Scot
You'll find he's a stinker, as likely as not.

The Scotsman is mean, as we're all well aware
And bony and blotchy and covered with hair
He eats salty porridge, he works all the day
And he hasn't got bishops to show him the way.

The English, the English, the English are best
I wouldn't give tuppence for all of the rest.

The Irishman now out contempt is beneath
He sleeps in his boots and he lies through his teeth
He blows up policemen, or so I have heard
And blames it on Cromwell and William the Third.

The English are noble, the English are nice,
And worth any other at double the price

The Welshman's dishonest and cheats when he can
And little and dark, more like monkey than man
He works underground with a lamp in his hat
And he sings far too loud, far too often, and flat.

And crossing the Channel, one cannot say much
Of French and the Spanish, the Danish or Dutch
The Germans are German, the Russians are red,
And the Greeks and Italians eat garlic in bed.

The English are moral, the English are good
And clever and modest and misunderstood.

And all the world over, each nation's the same
They've simply no notion of playing the game
They argue with umpires, they cheer when they've won
And they practice beforehand which ruins the fun.

The English, the English, the English are best
So up with the English and down with the rest.
It's not that they're wicked or natuarally bad
It's knowing they're foreign that makes them so mad!

While it's fairly inevitable (and thus loses some of its humour) that the very first "* and stripes" was the "Grand Union Flag" (Union Flag in the corner[1]), I find it absolutely hilarious that the "Betsy Ross" version essentially has the EU flag in the corner..!

[1] Although technially it's the pre-Ireland[2] 1606 version.
[2] Let's not go into that, eh? We're talking about America, even if half the residents claim Irish descent... ;)

Well, wouldn't you?

Ireland is cool. Just not as cool as Sweden.

You know, I always wished the English would have adopted this song as their new anthem:
"A SONG OF PATRIOTIC PREDJUDISE"
by
Flanders and Swann


How does a young American know about Flanders & Swann? I would be surprised if one out every ten of the UK poster here knew who they were.

How does a young American know about Flanders & Swann? I would be surprised if one out every ten of the UK poster here knew who they were.
I used to listen to a record of their animal songs when I was but a wee thing. I also shocked the hell out of a certain aunt by singing along to the Madiera song when I was about 10. Naturally I didn't have the slightest notion what it was about.

You know, I always wished the English would have adopted this song as their new anthem:
"A SONG OF PATRIOTIC PREDJUDISE"
by
Flanders and Swann



I'm sorry, but the way this song plays in my head is to an Irish tune. I guess I listen to too much Flogging Molly.

They should change the flag and polarize the stars to represent the partisan division in the US now... heh....:p
ooh smart idea. something like this?

http://www.hlj.me.uk/usa_flag2.jpg

:D

and at least we can

Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,

:p

Haha! That part always makes me laugh. "Frustrate their knavish tricks" is so corny I've never been able to get through the song without having to brace myself so as not to giggle.

Oh, and the staccato of "And make them fall"! Heehee!

ooh smart idea. something like this?

http://www.hlj.me.uk/usa_flag2.jpg

:D
That's better. IT represents the present-day US very nicely. :)

Well, everybody knows that the 13 stripes are for good luck, so I guess the 50 stars are probably to represent the 50 men that President Washington killed with his bare hands during the Battle For Mount Rushmore. Or something like that.
I could be wrong but I was told that the 13 stripes represent the 13 colonies that banded together to form the original union.

Okay, I'll get to the nub of the matter: how many states are there in the USA?

Okay, I'll get to the nub of the matter: how many states are there in the USA?

50, plus district of columbia. And some territories. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and a handfull of others.

50, plus district of columbia. And some territories. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and a handfull of others.

Well, points for listing DC and miscellaneous territories as separate from the states, but...

50, plus district of columbia. And some territories. Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and a handfull of others.

Yes, 50 states plus a whole lot of places who aren't yet cool enough to be states ;)

Okay, I'll get to the nub of the matter: how many states are there in the USA?

50. DC isn't a state. And neither are those dependant/associated territories.

50. DC isn't a state.

...or is it 46?

...or is it 46?

Are you referring to those that refer to them selves as "commonwealth"? They count as states.

Are you referring to those that refer to them selves as "commonwealth"? They count as states.

Cool. We're at the nub. Are they technically states though?

Cool. We're at the nub. Are they technically states though?

Yes, the are states.

Cool. We're at the nub. Are they technically states though?

According to the CIA, yes. (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html)

According to the CIA, yes. (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html)

I'm not so sure if they are states now. The CIA has been wrong before.

According to the CIA, yes. (http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html)

Citing the CIA (on the internet) as an honest source of disinterested opinion is surely pushing things too far.

Citing the CIA (on the internet) as an honest source of disinterested opinion is surely pushing things too far.

You'd think the US government would know what areas they govern, and if they are states or not.

You'd think the US government would know what areas they govern, and if they are states or not.

Well, you're half right. The US government is relatively certain which areas are states, but I think they're a bit foggy on what areas they govern.

50 stars for 50 states I thought.
But there are only 46 states. :confused:
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia are commonwealths. :D

EDIT: Damn, someone beat me to it.

Well, you're half right. The US government is relatively certain which areas are states, but I think they're a bit foggy on what areas they govern.

Still, no matter that they call themselves "commonwealth" - on the federal level, they are states.

50 states
what he said

Still, no matter that they call themselves "commonwealth" - on the federal level, they are states.

The question here is whether the federal level actually has authority here.

The question here is whether the federal level actually has authority here.

If they don't want to be states, then they should give up the rights of statehood.

I believe it's pronounced "Fiddy Stars"

The question here is whether the federal level actually has authority here.

Seeing as the flag is the flag of the Federal State Union, and not of any individual one, it most certainly does.

If they don't want to be states, then they should give up the rights of statehood.

Unless, as Commonwealths, they have identical rights to actual nominal states...

Seeing as the flag is the flag of the Federal State Union, and not of any individual one, it most certainly does.

Only if they explicitly claim that the flag has a star for every state (and stars for no other sub-national divisions).

Unless, as Commonwealths, they have identical rights to actual nominal states...

The Constitution makes no provision for Commonwealths, only States.

Only if they explicitly claim that the flag has a star for every state (and stars for no other sub-national divisions).

In actuality, the greedy state of Wyoming has four stars, stealing them from its neighbours when they were away visiting friends. Shame on you, Wyoming.

Unless, as Commonwealths, they have identical rights to actual nominal states...

What they refer to themselves as is of no relevance to their federal standing as states. Compare to the EU - Sweden is a monarchy, Finland is a republic - neither federations. The UK and Germany, the first a federative monarchy of sorts, the other a federative republic. What they call themselves has no bearing on the fact that they are member states of the European Union.

Same thing with Massachusetts, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Virginia (I think it's those, I'm not quite sure - my US geography is a bit neglected).

Oh, wait! http://www.magazineusa.com/lv2/politics/i_commonwealth.asp

Now the question is, whether they have another status or not?
No, they don't - it's basically a historical reality and has no political or judicial consequences.

All four states must integrate themselves into the legal system and the political order of the United States - in terms of the United States they are a state under the federal US Constitution, even when they use in their own State Constitution the expression "Commonwealth", see e.g. Massachusetts.

So, they are states in the federal union, no matter what they call themselves.

So it is nothing to do with the President's IQ then?

Only if they explicitly claim that the flag has a star for every state (and stars for no other sub-national divisions).

And that's what they do, as per a presidential executive order. (http://www.qmfound.com/us_flag_49th_and_50th_star.htm)

Unless, as Commonwealths, they have identical rights to actual nominal states...

at which point, hello 52 (and possibly 53, depending)

The stars are for each state, no matter if that state is a commonwealth or not. Peurto Rico(sp), while technicly a common wealth, is not considered a state. It was not given statehood.

isnt puerto rico a commonwealth?

and more to the point, doesnt COMMON WEALTH sound kinda socialistic for the united states??

isnt puerto rico a commonwealth?

and more to the point, doesnt COMMON WEALTH sound kinda socialistic for the united states??

Yes it is a commonwealth. And, no, it isn't socialistic.

isnt puerto rico a commonwealth?

yes. but the literal translation of the name actually makes it an associated free state, which is the status held by micronesia, palau, and the marshall islands. so they 'translate' estado libre asociado as commonwealth.

at which point, hello 52 (and possibly 53, depending)

Ah, but some of the territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not have identical rights.

And that's what they do, as per a presidential executive order. (http://www.qmfound.com/us_flag_49th_and_50th_star.htm)


Well, the best I can find is "On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission". This reads to me that each time a new state enters the Union a new flag will be produced with another star. However, it does not state that all those stars which are already on the flag correspond to states (and not Commonwealths).

Well, the best I can find is "On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission". This reads to me that each time a new state enters the Union a new flag will be produced with another star. However, it does not state that all those stars which are already on the flag correspond to states (and not Commonwealths).

Why are you so hung up on the Commonwealth thing? I got over thinking I was clever about this when I was 12.

Why are you so hung up on the Commonwealth thing? I got over thinking I was clever about this when I was 12.

Hey, I'm just asking questions here. I don't think I've actually asserted that there are only 46 states rather than 50 anywhere. I'm just investigating the issue: the fact that Fass is taking a hardline position on one side means that I'm forced to adopt the contrary one.

We all know that Puerto Rico will never be allowed to become a state, because then the government would have to start making new types of flags and change all the old ones. And they are all far too lazy for that.:p

Hey, I'm just asking questions here. I don't think I've actually asserted that there are only 46 states rather than 50 anywhere. I'm just investigating the issue: the fact that Fass is taking a hardline position on one side means that I'm forced to adopt the contrary one.

Except that you've already been proved wrong, (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10333778&postcount=56) making your resistance foolish.

But there are only 46 states. :confused:
Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia are commonwealths. :D

Federal law, in several places, makes it clear that no matter what they call themselves, they are states. Do a little digging, and you'll see that that Kentucky's membership in the Union was a vote for statehood.

We all know that Puerto Rico will never be allowed to become a state, because then the government would have to start making new types of flags and change all the old ones. And they are all far too lazy for that.:p

Actually, PR has voted several times not to become a state. They seem to be happy with the current situation.

Ah, but some of the territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not have identical rights.

alas, poor northern mariana islands. no rights and perpetually forgotten.

Federal law, in several places, makes it clear that no matter what they call themselves, they are states. Do a little digging, and you'll see that that Kentucky's membership in the Union was a vote for statehood.

Yah. And the other three were part of the original thirteen colonies. When they sent delegations to the original constitutional convention it's fairly clear they considered themselves states insofar as being 'political units' of the United States was concerned. Otherwise the country would be called the United States and Commonwealths of America.

So it doesn't even matter what the federal government considers them to be, the consider themselves states in that respect at least.

Actually, PR has voted several times not to become a state. They seem to be happy with the current situation.

not really. they split fairly evenly between becoming a state and becoming some sort of 'enhanced' commonwealth. none of the major political parties really support the status quo.