WASHINGTON (March 8, 2006) Congressman Ben Chandler will be in Mercer County on Friday, March 10, 2006 at King Middle School at 10:00 AM to present an American flag that flew over the United States Capitol in the school’s honor. 

Chandler will discuss the history of the American flag as well as Kentucky’s role in developing our nation’s most recognized symbol.

When Kentucky was admitted to the Union in 1792, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution to expand the flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes. This became the official flag from 1795 to 1818 which inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.” Once new states were admitted to the Union, President Monroe signed a bill in 1818 to limit the number of stripes to 13 in honor of the original colonies. The law designated that an additional star be added for each new state.

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