10 Rejected American Flag Designs!

The American flag is without a doubt one of the most iconic flags in the world – everyone recognizes “Old Glory” and what it stands for.

But did you know that we could have had a flag radically different from the one we all know and love?

In the 1950s, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration prepared for the addition of Alaska and Hawaii as the 49th and 50th states of the union. As required by federal law, two new white stars would be added to the flag to represent the two new states.

But thousands of Americans felt that the Star Spangled Banner needed a complete overhaul.

Here are just ten of the many redesign proposals Americans sent in to Eisenhower’s administration.

The American flag is required by law to feature white stars on a blue field, so it’s no wonder this design was rejected. It also includes four extra stars in the corners representing President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, as well as a poem along the top and bottom: “From the state that is large, to the one that is small/All fifty offer peace and goodwill to one and to all.” The two stars in the middle represent the largest and smallest states in the country.

While the flag must feature white stars on a blue field, there’s no requirement for how the stars must be arranged. This design took a cue from early military flags, which often featured the individual stars in a larger star pattern or encompassing a bald eagle.

This design, submitted by Gertrude Brofman and drawn by her brother, features the letters “USA” inside a star. The intent behind the design was a patriotic one: whichever way the design it turned it always reads “USA.” Unfortunately, at first glance it rather resembles a swastika.

Philip C. Brown of Fallbrook, Calif. submitted nine different pattern arrangements for the 50 stars on the flag. The first design – a circle of stars representing unbroken unity, surrounding a larger star that represented “the polar star of Divine Guidance in the affairs of our nation” – was endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Estell Arthur Owens proposed arranging the stars to read “1776,” which is both the year the Declaration of Independence was signed as well as the year Betsy Ross sewed the first stars and stripes version of the American flag at the request of Continental Army General George Washington.

This geographically correct design features the stars of the lower 48 states located at the approximate location of each state capital. The two stars at the top, of course, represent Alaska and Hawaii.

This design is pretty self explanatory! U-S-A!

Seventeen-year-old Julie Herting drew her submission with the colors of the stars and background field inversed for better visibility. It features a ring of stars surrounding a liberty torch.

This simple design features the official motto of the United States: “In God We Trust.”

This unique submission features the 50 stars arranged in three concentric circles.

Americans certainly had some interesting ideas; but Old Glory is perfect as is.

Did you prefer any of the other designs? Share this with your patriotic friends and family!