Robert G. Heft facts for kids
Robert G. "Bob" Heft (born January 19, 1941 – died December 12, 2009) was a very creative person. He is famous for designing the current United States 50-star flag. This is the flag we see today with 50 stars, one for each state. He also designed a 51-star flag. This flag would be used if another state ever joins the United States. Bob Heft was born in Saginaw, Michigan.
How the Flag Was Designed
Bob Heft designed the current United States flag when he was 17 years old. He was a high school student in Lancaster, Ohio. It was for a school project! His teacher, Stanley Pratt, first gave him a B- grade for the project.
Bob believed his design was special. He made an agreement with his teacher. If the United States Congress chose his flag design to be the official flag, he would get a better grade. And guess what? Bob's design was chosen! It was picked from more than 1,500 other designs. United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower himself chose it. After that, Bob's teacher changed his grade to an A.
Bob Heft's Life and Legacy
After finishing college, Bob Heft became a high school teacher. Later, he became a college professor. He also served his community as a politician. He was the mayor of Napoleon, Ohio for 28 years! That's a long time to lead a city.
Bob Heft passed away on December 12, 2009. He was living in Saginaw, Michigan, at the time. He died from a heart attack. He had been living with diabetes for many years. Bob was 68 years old when he died. His design for the American flag continues to fly proudly across the country.
Images for kids
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Oil painting depicting the 39 historical U.S. flags
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U.S. flag being burned in protest on the eve of the 2008 election
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A subdued-color flag patch, similar to style worn on the United States Army's ACU uniform. The patch is normally worn reversed on the right upper sleeve. See explanation in "Display on uniforms" section below.
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A U.S. flag with gold fringe and a gold eagle on top of the flag pole
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A boy holds an American flag during the 2009 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C.
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A tattered flag at Spokane Valley Police Headquarters, Spokane, Washington
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Truck with backwards flag sticker
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The crew of Apollo 1 wore their flags on the right shoulder, unlike all other U.S. astronaut flight crews.
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The NASA Vehicle Assembly Building in 1977. The VAB has the largest U.S. flag ever used on a building, and with the Bicentennial Star opposite the flag.
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Astronaut Buzz Aldrin salutes the United States flag on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission (1969)
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Flags depicted on U.S. postage stamp issues
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Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington, Virginia
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Flags covering the National Mall
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An American flag now flies over Gate 17 of Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, departure gate of United Airlines Flight 93 on 9/11.
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Folding the U.S. flag
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A flag prepared for presentation to the next of kin
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