The 50 stars and 13 stripes on the American flag are worldwide famous. However, you may see some 51 stars on the flag somewhere.
The idea of the 51 state flag is quite popular, but you can’t find an official design for it. Today, we will discuss this topic in detail. So let’s check at Flagwix!
Contents
Different Drafts Of 51 State Flag
After Hawaii became a state, President Eisenhower approved the design of a 50-star flag in 1959, which was the last time America had a new flag design.
People use the term “51st state” to refer to any place that is not one of the 50 states of America, but people consider making it the 51st.
Some ideas of adding stars to the flag have shown up. Hence, you may have seen the 51-star flag somewhere. We always call them the 51 state flag.
Some suggestions for the 51-star flags
When Newt Gingrich was a GOP candidate back in January 2012, he suggested the idea of adding the moon as the country’s 51st state.
A few months later, Gingrich failed to gain the nomination, and the moon was uncolonized. Yet, the idea of a second state actually played a significant role in the 2012 presidential election. Most Puerto Ricans cast votes in favor of the island becoming a state.
It does not imply that Puerto Rico will join the union right away. Several variables and choices still need confirmation between the election and the final result.
Another suggestion for the new flag was in 2019. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s demonstration for D.C. statehood anticipated a 51-star flag.
It was a part of a week-long campaign leading up to a Congressional committee on D.C. statehood that took place on Thursday. It would be the first hearing on the subject in DC in 26 years.
Along with the parade, the city erected a mural on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue on the following day. The 51 of 51 Coalition will also host a press conference after that. Then, supporters of statehood will parade on the Mall following the hearing.
51-star flag designs
The row pattern of the stars in the official American flag is 6-5-6-5-6-5-6-5-6.
If there are 51 stars, the pattern will change. After researching, we have found two primary ideas for it.
First, the designers keep the stars in rows, but the number of stars in each row changes, such as 9-8-9-8-9-8 or 6-7-8-9-8-7-6.
Another idea is to arrange the stars to form a circle. The 51-star flag that the New Progressive Party of Puerto Rico has created features the stars arranged in a circle. The number of stars in each round from inward to outward is 1-5-10-15-20.
How To Get Your Own 51 State Flag?
Although this flag is not an official item, you can find it somewhere. The following are the most common choices.
On the internet
We can find almost anything on the internet. People like to display flags on some occasions, so there are many flag stores for you to shop.
For example, you can look for your favorite design on Amazon. This site offers flags with stars in rows or circles, just like the ones we have mentioned earlier.
The flags are available in different sizes, such as 2’x3′ or 3’x5′. So expect a different price tag for the sizes.
Support voting rights
When running the movement for the 51-state flag, the organizations often offer 51-star flags for their supporters. The DC Vote got this idea.
Anyone who gave at least $51 received a 51-star flag measuring three by five feet from the voting rights organization D.C. Vote. Bo Shuff, the director of D.C. Vote, claimed that the group’s inspiration came from the commotion over Bowser’s flags.
Roll your own
Many flag stores allow customers to design their own flags, and it’s on them for production. Hence, you can order a 51-state flag and get it after a few days.
Why Isn't Puerto Rico a State?
Puerto Rico is among the places that support the idea of adding one more star to the American flag. And, of course, this star represents the territory.
However, since Puerto Rico is not a state, there won’t be any extra star for it. So what is the reason behind this?
History
In the 16th century, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. Yet, hundreds of years of slavery, taxation, and misery had taken their toll.
An independence movement arose on the island around the 19th century. Although Spanish forces could swiftly quell the violent uprising in 1868, the nation tried to calm the situation by giving the island additional autonomy.
But in 1898, U.S. forces took over Puerto Rico. It remained there for the duration of the Spanish-American War.
In Puerto Rico, there has been a strong and public movement for liberty, either as an independent country or state, during the 20th century.
Puerto Rico adopted its own constitution in the 1950s with the support of the U.S. government, but it was still a U.S. territory, not a state.
Politics
Parties that support or oppose statehood are important to Puerto Rico politics in various ways.
Most Puerto Ricans supported statehood in the 2020 election, but because it was non-binding voting, opponents doubted the reliability of the outcome due to the lower response.
Even if the outcomes were convincing, Congress would still need to reach a decision, and it’s where politics would come into play.
Given the current situation, it is likely that insecurity over this political calculus, more than other ones, makes statehood difficult.
And we have more stunning items in Politics Flags Collection at Flagwix. Don’t forget to check!
Conclusion
The 51-state flag is not an official item. However, it has become pretty popular due to some movements. You can also get one in several ways.
Do you want to get the flag? Or discover more about this topic? Please let us know if you need any help. Thank you for reading!
