Existing comment:
The First 50-Star Flag:
In 1959, Alaska, and later Hawaii, were admitted to the Union. The Quartermaster Corps' Heraldic Branch, under the direction of Col. James S. Cook, Jr. was assigned the responsibility of designing the new flags. Over 1900 design suggestions for the 49 and 50-star flags were submitted. The final design was intended to reflect the generally accepted designs that had been used in the flag's history. On 4 July, 1959, the new 49-star flag was unveiled and on 4 July 1960, a 50-star flag was presented to President Eisenhower. The flag exhibited here was the flag presented to President Eisenhower, thus making it "Flag Number One." |