As we celebrate Flag Day today I thought you might be interested to find out who is credited with designing the flag that we're currently using and have been since 1959.

In the 1950’s when the country was getting ready to accept Hawaii and Alaska as the 49th and 50th states – an Ohio high school teacher challenged his class to design a 50-star flag as part of a history project.  One of his 17-year old students received a B- for his design.

His name was Robert G. Heft and interesting that he thought more of his own design than his teacher did.  He submitted it to Congress for consideration as the new American flag and President Eisenhower chose his design over 15-hundred other applicants and called him to give him the news over the phone.  By the way – his teacher later changed his grade to an A.

During his life Robert Heft made 200 speaking engagements a year right up until when he died in 2009.

He toured the White House 14 times under nine presidents and he did USO Tours with Bob Hope.

By the way – Robert Heft also submitted a design for a 51-star flag - just in case.

The 50-star flag is the longest serving design in American history.  It’s lasted more than 50 years.  Compare that to a 50-year stretch in the 1800’s when the designed changed 17 changes.

More From 106.5 WYRK