Francis Hopkinson Flag Commemorative Stamp

 

 

This stamp is part of "The Stars and Stripes" souvenir sheet of 20 stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service in 2000 [see sheet]. With 13 stars in a blue union on a field of 13 red-and-white stripes, it is believed to have been designed by Francis Hopkinson rather than Betsy Ross. The flag variously had stars with six points (as shown here) and five points.

 

Although most people think of the first Stars and Stripes as having 13 stars in a circle, the earliest versions may have the stars in rows or in other patterns.

 

Printed on the reverse of the stamp is the following caption:

 

Francis Hopkinson Flag 1777 Continental Congress member Francis Hopkinson designed the first Stars and Stripes. His stars may have formed rows or a ring; the exact design is not known. In a resolution of June 14, 1777, they were said to represent "a new constellation."

 

 

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