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While the story of Betsy Ross sewing the first flag is a popular legend, some historians believe Congressman Francis Hopkinson was the actual designer.

During the War of 1812, a lawyer named Francis Scott Key was held on a British ship during the shelling of . All through the rainy night of September 13, 1814, he watched as rockets and bombs lit up the sky. He feared that by morning, the fort would have surrendered. 2560x1600 American Flag Desktop Background">

But when the sun rose, a massive American flag was still flying high over the fort. This sight so moved Key that he scribbled a poem on the back of a letter. Those words eventually became the of the United States. Helpful Flag Facts While the story of Betsy Ross sewing the

Each of the 50 stars stands for one U.S. state . He feared that by morning, the fort would have surrendered

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Red stands for hardiness and valor ; white for purity ; and blue for vigilance and justice .

The 13 red and white stripes represent the original 13 colonies .