Happy Flag Day 2018!
Finally a new inclusive flag that reflects of the diverse geographic regions that make up the USA, no one is excluded. Just like the current flag there are 50 stars for 50 states. However, there is also a badge with 16 stars which only have four points, since they do not represent fully fledged states.
Can you guess the other non states of USA? Most people know that Washington DC is a part of America, yet it does not get a star in the official banner. But the problem is solved with this flag. You probably know of Puerto Rico? More off the grid is the US Virgin Islands. Further down the limelight of the USA is Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. They are two similar yet very different places. Perhaps you heard of Saipan? Well, it's an island within the Northern Mariana Islands.
Now we are getting seriously off the grid. Only a few people know about the others, like American Samoa. After that you are entering the TOP SECRET level of American geography. Only a handful of people know these places by heart, including yours truly. And these places are not always inhabited, yet, they are as much a part of America as Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, and Independence Hall.
The hidden bits of the USA are Navassa, Midway, Wake Island, Baker Island, Howland Island, Palmyra Atoll, Johnston Island, Kingman Reef, Swains Island, and last but not least my favorite, Jarvis Island.
Thus we have a total of 66 stars; 50 five pointed stars in the canton that represent the states and 16 four pointed stars in the badge that represent the external territories and Washington DC. Although some places are void of people, they do have rich histories to tell, especially during WWII. There was a racially charged slave-labor rebellion on Navassa. There was a juicy murder mystery plot on Palmyra Atoll. It really is fascinating.
It's high time that the United States acknowledges her Asiatic, Caribbean, and lands down under.
Now every one in America is represented with a star!
