FIFTY STAR US FLAG UNFURLED 55 YEARS AGO
Baltimore, Maryland (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, Independence Day, July 4, 1960, the Flag of the United States of America bearing 50 stars was unfurled here in the city of Baltimore.
The new flag included a star representing the State of Hawaii which had been admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959.
The design for the 50 star flag was the work of 17 year old, Robert G. "Bob" Heft* of Lancaster, Ohio. Mr. Heft had created his design for a high school class project.
His teacher, not overly impressed, gave him a B-, but after discussing the grade with his student agreed to change the grade to an A if the Congress of the United States approved his design.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower made a telephone call to Bob Heft to personally inform him that Congress had indeed accepted his design for the Nation's new flag.
John F. Kennedy became the first President of the United States to be inaugurated under the 50 star flag and the first to serve all of his presidential years under it.
*Robert G. Heft (1941-2009) was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He became a high school teacher, college professor, and served as mayor of Napoleon, Ohio for 28 years.
VICKSBURG CAPTURED ON FOURTH OF JULY
Vicksburg, Mississippi (JFK+50) 152 years ago today, July 4, 1863, the strategic port city of Vicksburg fell to the Union. The capture came after
the city had endured many months under siege.
President Abraham Lincoln said:
"And now the Father of Waters goes unvexed to the sea.*
It has been said that the people of Vicksburg did not celebrate the 4th of July for the next 100 years.
JOHN ADAMS AND THOMAS JEFFERSON DIE ON THE SAME DAY
On the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1826.two of the men most instrumental in its existence died just hours apart.
John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, both former Presidents of the United States, who had been at times political allies, and at other times political enemies, passed on as friends and mutual admirers.
John Adams last words were "Thomas Jefferson still survives", but he did not know that his friend had passed away at Monticello a few hours before.
Baltimore, Maryland (JFK+50) Fifty-five years ago today, Independence Day, July 4, 1960, the Flag of the United States of America bearing 50 stars was unfurled here in the city of Baltimore.
The new flag included a star representing the State of Hawaii which had been admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959.
The design for the 50 star flag was the work of 17 year old, Robert G. "Bob" Heft* of Lancaster, Ohio. Mr. Heft had created his design for a high school class project.
His teacher, not overly impressed, gave him a B-, but after discussing the grade with his student agreed to change the grade to an A if the Congress of the United States approved his design.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower made a telephone call to Bob Heft to personally inform him that Congress had indeed accepted his design for the Nation's new flag.
John F. Kennedy became the first President of the United States to be inaugurated under the 50 star flag and the first to serve all of his presidential years under it.
Fifty Star Flag of the United States
*Robert G. Heft (1941-2009) was born in Saginaw, Michigan. He became a high school teacher, college professor, and served as mayor of Napoleon, Ohio for 28 years.
Robert G. "Bob" Heft
December 5, 2009
Photo by Gage Skidmore
CC SA 3.0
VICKSBURG CAPTURED ON FOURTH OF JULY
Vicksburg, Mississippi (JFK+50) 152 years ago today, July 4, 1863, the strategic port city of Vicksburg fell to the Union. The capture came after
the city had endured many months under siege.
President Abraham Lincoln said:
"And now the Father of Waters goes unvexed to the sea.*
It has been said that the people of Vicksburg did not celebrate the 4th of July for the next 100 years.
Siege of Vicksburg
Painting by Kurz & Allison (1888)
Library of Congress Photo
JOHN ADAMS AND THOMAS JEFFERSON DIE ON THE SAME DAY
On the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1826.two of the men most instrumental in its existence died just hours apart.
John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, both former Presidents of the United States, who had been at times political allies, and at other times political enemies, passed on as friends and mutual admirers.
John Adams last words were "Thomas Jefferson still survives", but he did not know that his friend had passed away at Monticello a few hours before.
Franklin, Adams & Jefferson
Committee to Draft
the Declaration of Independence
