1

The American Flag has a special day

Image: Pramod Kotipalli

Every June 14 in the United States we celebrate Flag Day by hanging the flag outside our homes and participating in parades and other patriotic events. It was on this same day in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress officially adopted our flag as America's national symbol.

The first Flag Day was celebrated in 1877, 100 years after the Continental Congress. However, it was President Woodrow Wilson who finally issued a presidential proclamation establishing June 14 as Flag Day in 1916. A few years later, in 1949, President Harry Truman officially made it a national observance .

2

Colors have meaning

Image: Joshua Hoehne

Have you ever thought about why our flag is red, blue, and white? Yes, we’ve originally taken the colors from the British flag, and although they didn’t have a special meaning in the beginning, over time they took on new significance .

In 1782, Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, presented a proposed U.S. seal. He suggested that each of the colors of the American flag represented something different : white for purity and innocence, blue for perseverance and justice, and red for bravery and valor.

3

The first flag

Image: Gerard Avril

As the colonies seceded from Great Britain, it became necessary to have a flag to represent the patriotic cause. It is a popular belief that the first American flag was created in 1776 by a seamstress known as Betsy Ross at the request of George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross. However, there is no conclusive historical evidence to confirm this theory.

What is certain is that a year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress approved the first official flag composed of 13 red and white stripes representing the American colonies and 13 stars over a blue field symbolizing a constellation.

4

Twenty-seven versions

Image: Dan Parlante

Since that first 1777 version of 13 stripes and 13 stars, the flag of the United States has undergone numerous changes. In fact, over the years, there have been 27 versions of the American flag .

Each time a state was incorporated into the Union, a star was added to the flag. Of the 27 versions, some flew for only a short time, a clear sign of the nation’s rapid expansion. Our current flag has 50 stars representing the 50 states that make up the United States today, but to know the story behind this particular flag you’ll have to keep on reading.

5

Designed by a school student?

Image: Luke Michael

The history of great nations is also based on much-needed myths of origin. For many years it was believed that our current flag, one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, had come out of the creative mind of a teenager . According to this version, 17-year-old Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio had won a contest in 1958 for creating a new flag that represented the growth of the country.

However, this legend was refuted in 2022 by writer Alec Nevala-Lee. The truth is that the 50-star flag we use today was made official in 1960 with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii. The final design was selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from among 1500 contenders. At the time, credit for this design was given by the executive department to the United States Army Institute of Heraldry.

6

Our flag has a nickname

Image: Thomas Ashlock

Well, actually, it has a few. Over the years the American flag has received many monickers , including Stars and Stripes and Star-Spangled Banner . But perhaps the most known nickname for our red, white, and blue flag is Old Glory . This name derives from a flag owned by the 19th-century American sea captain William Driver who proudly flew it on his ship throughout his career.

According to historical reconstructions, this flag was sewn by Driver's mother and other women in 1824 and given to him as a gift when he was granted his own ship. It is believed that the Captain, before sailing to China and other places in Asia and the Pacific, uttered the following words, "Behold Old Glory." This flag was preserved and is now part of the collection of the Smithsonian Institution, and can be visited at the National Museum of American History.

7

Backward flag

Image: Jessica Radanavong

Did you know that the American flag must be displayed backward on military uniforms ? This tradition dates back to the early days of the Army. During the Civil War, both cavalry and infantry units had a bearer who was responsible for carrying the standard in combat. After launching an offensive, the impulse would cause the flag to be raised backward.

Since then, the Stars and Stripes have been placed in such a way that the section with the blue field stands on the right. This location makes it possible to create an effect as if the flag were waving before combat.

8

Say goodbye with dignity

Image: Anthony Garand

Although some may consider it disrespectful, the proper way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it . If the flag can no longer be washed or repaired, ceremonial burning is the correct and respectful way to discard a damaged flag.

It is believed to be illegal to set the flag on fire. As a matter of fact, according to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, it is unconstitutional for any government to prohibit the cremation of a flag if it was made as a cultural or political statement, due to its status as "symbolic speech."

9

To the Moon and back

Image: NASA

The U.S. flag has flown everywhere the nation has conquered, even the Moon. Probably one of the most iconic images of the 20th century is that of astronaut Buzz Aldrin saluting the American flag during the Apollo 11 mission. It was quite an achievement: in order to get the flag to fly and stay upright in the airless lunar environment, NASA technicians had to design a special mechanism .

In the following three years, 5 other flags were planted on the Moon . But the flag left by Apollo 17 is the most special. It is a piece that had traveled on Apollo 11 and had returned to Earth. It was kept at Mission Control until it was time to return to the place it was destined for: the Moon.

10

Capitol Flag Program

Image: Adam Michael Szuscik

You probably didn't know this: you can own a flag that has flown over the Capitol . Amazing, right? The Capitol Flag Program began in 1937 and allows citizens to have access to an official flag through the offices of the members of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

Flags flown every day on Capitol Hill —except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day— receive a certificate of authenticity before they are delivered. There are currently about 100,000 orders for flags from members of Congress and the number is increasing each year. So now you know, if you want your official capitol flag just contact your local representative or senator!

1

Hawaii (1,052 miles)

Image: Karsten Winegeart

Over 1,052 miles of volcanic islands, a unique blend of black sand beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs await.

Snorkel with sea turtles in Hanauma Bay on Oahu, or learn to surf on the legendary waves of Waikiki Beach. You could also visit the dramatic cliffs of Kauai, featured in film sagas like Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean.

2

Oregon (1,410 miles)

Image: Dave Hoefler

You might remember seeing Haystack Rock featured in the film The Goonies , or glimpses of the charming town of Astoria , where the classic Free Willy was filmed.

These are just two of the many jewels of Oregon's Pacific coastline. Dramatic sea stacks, hidden coves, and beautiful towns like Cannon Beach also await.

3

New York (2,625 miles)

Image: Tommy Kwak

New York's coastline offers a mix of bustling beaches, charming towns, and iconic landmarks. There’s the famous Coney Island boardwalk , as well as the historic lighthouses and sandy shores of Long Island.

If you’ve seen the romantic drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , surely you’ve felt curious about visiting the remote, nostalgic beaches of Montauk.

4

Washington (3,026 miles)

Image: Jennifer Arlem Molina

Rugged beaches, dramatic cliffs, and waterfront cities line the 3,026 miles of Washington's coastline. You can visit Pike Place Market in Seattle, or take a ferry to the Olympic Peninsula to hike through rainforests and explore tide pools.

The Washington State Ferries system can also take you to the San Juan Islands archipelago, famous for its forest waterfalls and whale-watching tours.

5

Virginia (3,315 miles)

Image: Steve Adams

Virginia ranks among the 10 states with the longest coastlines. Its sandy beaches and wide shores are also home to many historical landmarks .

You can explore Colonial Williamsburg, the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, as well as Mount Vernon by the Potomac River.

6

Texas (3,359 miles)

Image: Thomas Park

On Texas's Gulf Coast, you'll find Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world , with pristine beaches and a haven for wildlife. There’s also Galveston Island, which blends history and entertainment with its Victorian architecture, museums, and family-friendly attractions like Moody Gardens.

7

North Carolina (3,375 miles)

Image: Joe Dudeck

The iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is just one of the stunning views along North Carolina's Outer Banks. This state is famous for its Outer Banks , a chain of barrier islands with windswept beaches.

A notable attraction is the shipwreck-littered Graveyard of the Atlantic, a stretch of treacherous waters that fascinates many and features its own museum. And we can’t forget the historic Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers made their first flight.

8

Michigan (3,288 miles)

Image: John Schaidler

With over 3,000 miles of Great Lakes coastline, Michigan offers some of the most diverse shoreline experiences in the US.

You can explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along Lake Michigan, or step back in time on Mackinac Island, known for its Victorian charm and car-free roads . Another gem is the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior, with its dramatic cliffs.

9

Maine (3,478 miles)

Image: Rachel C

Maine's rugged coastline is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring cliffs, picturesque fishing villages, and abundant wildlife.

If you love animals in their natural habitat, you can visit seals and puffins in Bar Harbour. If you like hiking to stunning views, you can visit Acadia National Park and make it to the top of Cadillac Mountain .

10

California (3,427 miles)

Image: Meriç Dağlı

The Golden Coast must be included, of course! California's iconic coastline is a dream for beach lovers. Surfers can catch waves in Huntington Beach, a.k.a. "Surf City USA."

Other must-see spots include the Golden Gate Recreation Area, San Diego’s La Jolla, and, of course, Santa Monica’s colorful and bustling pier and boardwalk .

11

Louisiana (7,721 miles)

Image: Brent Woods

Louisiana's bayous and wetlands make its coastline unique. The Mississippi River Delta is an ecological treasure, home to abundant birdlife and fisheries, while the Atchafalaya Basin boasts the largest wetland and swamp in the US.

Of course, New Orleans is the cultural heart of this state, where jazz, gumbo, and beignets summon tourists from all over the world.

12

Florida (8,436 miles)

Image: Lance Asper

Florida! Sun-kissed beaches year-round and magnetic turquoise waters make this state’s coastline one of the most visited in the country.

The Florida Keys offer coral reefs perfect for diving, especially in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. One should explore Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, the Everglades that spill into Florida Bay, and of course, the dreamy sights along Key West.

13

Alaska (33,904 miles)

Image: jesse orrico

Finally, with over 33,904 miles of coastline, there’s Alaska—a treasure trove of natural wonders like the ice formations of Glacier Bay National Park and the playful otters of Kenai Fjords National Park.

In Juneau, the state capital, you can witness humpback whales breaching in Auke Bay. So, if you don’t mind the cold or the long journey, you might want to visit and experience the breathtaking scenery!

1

Hell’s Kitchen

Image: Michael Matloka

What’s in a name? In this case, fire, grit, and a wink of humor. Legend has it that during a riot, a young police officer muttered, "This place is hell itself," only for his older partner to quip, "Hell’s a mild climate—this is hell’s kitchen." The pun was too good to forget, and the nickname stuck. Years later, developers tried a new label—"Clinton"—hoping it would sound more welcoming on real estate brochures. But New Yorkers can be a bit stubborn, and locals chose to keep the old name. After all, only "Hell’s Kitchen" could do justice to a neighborhood with that much flavor, grit, and, well, heat.

2

Harlem

Image: Phil Evenden

Back in the 1600s, when northern Manhattan was little more than farmland, Dutch settlers, homesick for their town across the sea, named the area Nieuw Haarlem after Haarlem in the Netherlands. Time smoothed away the "Nieuw," but the name remained. Centuries later, Harlem became something entirely of its own: a world capital of music, art, and pride. The rhythms may have changed from Dutch hymns to jazz and soul, but the name still carries the same echo of nostalgia and creativity.

3

Greenwich Village

Image: Budgeron Bach

Long before jazz bars and coffeehouses filled the air with chatter, this corner of Manhattan was a quiet patch of countryside known as Groenwijck—Dutch for "pine district." The British, with their habit for renaming, turned it into Greenwich, and generations of locals affectionately shortened it to "the Village." Its winding lanes still ignore the city’s rigid grid, twisting and bending like memories of the farmland that came before. Even today, as musicians play on stoops and artists linger in cafés, the Village keeps that timeless feeling.

4

Chelsea

Image: Elric Pxl

Here’s a name steeped in nostalgia and old-world charm. In the mid-1700s, retired British Major Thomas Clarke bought a large plot of land overlooking the Hudson River and built his dream home, naming it "Chelsea" after the genteel London district he once knew. The estate is long gone, swallowed by the city’s constant growth, but its name never left the map. Over the centuries, the neighborhood evolved with a flair worthy of its heritage. First a quiet residential area, then a bustling creative hub filled with galleries, theaters, and fashion studios. Much like its London namesake, New York’s Chelsea has always worn its artistic spirit proudly, with just the right touch of elegance.

5

The Meatpacking District

Image: TanjaSchwarz

It sounds tough because it was. In the early 1900s, this corner of Manhattan had more than 250 meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses filling the air with noise—and, yes, a certain aroma that no candle could ever mask. Workers hauled sides of beef down cobblestone streets dusted with ice and sawdust, a daily ballet of grit and muscle. Today, the scent of raw steak has been replaced by perfume and espresso, and the warehouses now house boutiques and rooftop bars. Still, the name "Meatpacking District" hangs on proudly, a reminder that even glamour was built on hard work and heavy lifting.

6

Times Square

Image: James Ting

Believe it or not, the origin of this glowing crossroads has more to do with ink and paper than neon lights. In 1904, when The New York Times moved its headquarters to what was then called Longacre Square, the city decided to rename the area in the paper’s honor. To mark the occasion, the Times threw a grand celebration complete with fireworks and electric lights. Decades later, the newspaper has long since moved out, but the glow never dimmed. What began as a nod to journalism became the city’s biggest stage, where the lights still flash like headlines that never stop breaking.

7

SoHo

Image: Zeke Goodyear

It may sound like a borrowed bit of London, but this SoHo is a New York creation. Back in the 1960s, urban planner Chester Rapkin was writing a report about a fading industrial zone just SOuth of HOuston Street, and casually shortened that phrase into "SoHo." He couldn’t have known he was naming one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods. As artists began filling the old cast-iron factories with studios and galleries, the nickname spread faster than wet paint. Soon, SoHo meant loft living, street art, and downtown cool. And here’s a fun fact for visitors: in Manhattan, Houston is pronounced HOW -ston, not like the Texas city. Mispronounce it, and you’ll hear all about it before you hit the next crosswalk!

8

NoHo

Image: Dylan Dehnert

By now, you probably know the drill. After the renaming of SoHo proved such a success, the north couldn’t be left behind. When the area NOrth of HOuston Street, another cluster of lofts and studios began to bloom, it soon earned the mirrored name "NoHo." Smaller and quieter, it kept its creative streak without the chaos. Cast-iron buildings, cobbled streets, and a calm charm that feels like SoHo’s thoughtful twin, equally artistic but happy to hum instead of shout.

9

TriBeCa

Image: Essow K

What if geometry had a ZIP code? That’s pretty much how TRIangle BElow CAnal Street —better known as TriBeCa—came to be. The name began as a bit of city-planning jargon for a small, oddly shaped area, but once The New York Times printed it, the label spread faster than a rumor on the subway. Before long, the whole neighborhood embraced its new identity. Today, those wide streets and grand old warehouses host film festivals, art galleries, and lofts so sleek they make geometry look downright glamorous.

10

NoLIta

Image: Alex Haney

Tucked just NOrth of LITtle ITAly, this petite pocket of Manhattan once blended seamlessly with its pasta-and-pastry-filled neighbor. Then came the wave of stylish boutiques, corner cafés, and street-front charm that begged for its own identity. The solution? NoLIta, a name so snappy it sounds like it’s been around forever. Sleek, sunny, and effortlessly cool, it’s proof that in New York, a clever name can turn a few city blocks into a full-blown destination.

11

Turtle Bay

Image: Masahiro Naruse

At first glance, the name sounds cute enough for a storybook, and in a way, it is. Back in the 1600s, Dutch settlers named a small farm near a creek that flowed into the East River. Some say it referred to the turtles that lived there; others claim it came from the Dutch word deutal , "bent blade," describing the curve of the bay. Either way, it’s one of Manhattan’s softest names, a calm corner in the city that never sleeps.

12

Gramercy

Image: Megan Bucknall

Long ago, this Manhattan neighborhood was a swampy patch of land the Dutch called Krom Moerasje , meaning "little crooked marsh," hardly the kind of description you’d want on a real estate brochure. In the early 19th century, developer Samuel B. Ruggles acquired the land and renamed it Gramercy , adapting an archaic expression derived from the French grand merci , meaning "many thanks." Suddenly, it sounded far more elegant. The neighborhood grew around its most famous feature: Gramercy Park, a private, gated square that remains key-only to this day. In New York, that’s about as close as it gets to a secret garden.