A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World

Can You Pass This Tricky American Flag Quiz?

Updated on Jun. 30, 2025

How much do you really know about the flag? Take our U.S. flag quiz and test your stars-and-stripes smarts.

Ready for a fun U.S. flag quiz?

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved that America’s flag should feature 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes, to represent the 13 original colonies. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established June 14 as Flag Day, and in 1949, Congress approved the national observance. President Harry Truman signed it into law. Now you know the basics, but do you think you could pass a U.S. flag quiz?

After you brush up on your flag facts, see how many answers you can get right on our American flag quiz. Get ready—it’s time to find out your red, white and blue IQ!

Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more trivia, holiday tips, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long.

george washington painting
Universal History Archive/UIG/Shutterstock

The first unofficial American flag (introduced by George Washington) had what instead of stars in the upper left-hand corner?

A. A solid blue square
B. The British Union Jack
C. Washington’s profile
D. A bald eagle

UK flag- Unated Kingdom flag, national flag concept
Lemon Lab/Shutterstock

Answer: B

The British Union Jack was in the upper left-hand corner of the first unofficial American flag.

American national flag folded to show a single star representing one of the original 13 colonies and red, blue and white stripes in a full frame background view
Ozgur Coskun/Shutterstock

An act signed in 1818 by this president called for the American flag to have 13 stripes and one star for each state.

A. James K. Polk
B. James Buchanan
C. James Madison
D. James Monroe

james monroe
Historia/Shutterstock

Answer: D

James Monroe signed the Flag Act of 1818 allowing for the American flag to have 13 stripes and one star for each state.

Vintage camera lens close-up isolated on black
Kamira/Shutterstock

What iconic World War II image won its photographer the Pulitzer Prize?

A. Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by Joe Rosenthal
B. V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt
C. The Face in the Surf by Robert Capa
D. Mushroom Cloud over Nagasaki by Lt. Charles Levy

raising the flag iwo jima
Joe Rosenthal/AP/Shutterstock

Answer: A

Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima by Joe Rosenthal won a Pulitzer Prize in 1945.

Retro old television in vintage white wall background
jakkapan/Shutterstock

As this 1950s TV show begins, a flag appears as the narrator touts someone’s “never-ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.”

A. Smallville
B. Adventures of Superman
C. Superboy
D. Metropolis

the adventures of superman
Mptv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Answer: B

The Adventures of Superman.

close up to clock face
samritk/Shutterstock

When hung outside, the American flag should only be displayed from when to when?

A. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
B. Noon to 6 p.m.
C. Sunrise to sunset
D. Sunset to sunrise

American flag
Leonard Zhukovsky/Shutterstock

Answer: C

The American flag should be hung outside from sunrise to sunset.

star spangled banner flag usa
Rob Crandall/Shutterstock

The American flag that inspired 1814’s “The Star-Spangled Banner” had 15 stripes and 15 stars. Which two states had joined the original 13?

A. Vermont and Kentucky
B. Alabama and Maine
C. Alaska and Hawaii
D. Louisiana and Mississippi

Montpelier pinned on map.
Zmaj88/Shutterstock

Answer: A

Vermont and Kentucky joined the original 13 colonies in statehood.

Man's hands holding a folded American flag
Wellford Tiller/Shutterstock

Why is the American flag folded into a triangle?

A. To make sure no part of the flag (that is not on display) touches the ground
B. To showcase the stars, which symbolize America as a new constellation
C. To honor the battleships that have served us throughout history
D. To symbolize the tricorn hats of colonial soldiers, sailors and marines during the Revolutionary War

Feathered black felt hat, for man or woman, on tentpole in a military camp at a reenactment of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
Ken Schulze/Shutterstock

Answer: D

The American flag is folded into a triangle to symbolize the tricorn hats of colonial soldiers, sailors and marines during the Revolutionary War.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We’ve gone the extra step and had Marcy Lovitch, a fact-checker with 20-plus years of experience researching for national publications including Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle, Glamour, Seventeen, Real Simple, Forbes and InStyle magazines, verify that all quotes are attributed correctly and have credible sourcing. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

Reminisce
Originally Published in Reminisce