Flag Day: New Jersey's connection to the Stars and Stripes

Although not a federal holiday, Flag Day, June 14, is the day that commemorates the Continental Congress' adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. Since that time the flag has been an active part of America’s history. The newly created American flag would become the nation’s symbol of liberty and carried the message of freedom around the world.

How did it all happen?

The idea of Betsey Ross being the designer and maker of the first American flag is now considered by most historians to be the stuff of legend. Mostly forgotten is a gentleman from New Jersey who designed the banner adopted as the American flag by Congress in 1777.

There seems to be ample evidence that Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey, actually designed the American flag t. The new flag consisted of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; with thirteen stars, white in a blue field, each star representing a new state.

Hopkinson, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, would later move to Bordentown, New Jersey, where he married, practiced law and became a member of Congress. He was a man of many skills — he was a writer, poet, lawyer, composer, politician, businessman as well as the designer of the New Jersey state seal and the seal of the U.S. Treasury. He is also associated with the design of the Great Seal of the United States. Hopkinson submitted a bill for his design of the flag, asking a “quarter cask of wine” which he thought “proper and reasonable.” Congress turned him down, claiming he was already paid as a public servant.