14-star flag

From the collection of Dr. Peter Keim

This 14-star flag from 1791 is the oldest flag in the Stars & Stripes: An American Story exhibition and documents the admission of Vermont as a state. It is exceptionally rare, since 14-star flags were never official and few flags from this period survived.

33-Star Bull Run Flag

From the Collection of Dr. Peter Keim

This 33-star flag was flown by Union troops at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861.

39-Star Flag with International Border

From the Collection of Dr. Peter Keim

This souvenir from the U.S. Centennial in 1876 features a 39-star American flag surrounded by the flags of other nations. It helped to demonstrate the nation’s emerging status as a world power.

Bull Run Flag

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Family Service Flag

Courtesy, Kenneth B. Haas I

Designed by an Army Captain who had two sons serving in World War I, the stars on this 1917 service flag represent family members serving in the war.

Fennimore flag with GIs

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Nation Museum of American History, and Kenneth E. Bering Center

Joseph E. Fennimore, the son of WQED personality Chris Fennimore, made this flag during WWII from a captured Nazi flag, a blue dress uniform, and salvaged red fabric.

Fennimore Flag

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Nation Museum of American History, and Kenneth E. Bering Center

Joseph E. Fennimore, the son of WQED personality Chris Fennimore, made this flag during WWII from a captured Nazi flag, a blue dress uniform, and salvaged red fabric.

Thomas Burnett Family Flags

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

The family of Flight 93 passenger Thomas Burnett left five flags at the Shanksville, Pa. memorial and crash site, each with a personal message from family members which captures the love, pride, and longing for their hero.

Thomas Burnett Family Flags

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

The family of Flight 93 passenger Thomas Burnett left five flags at the Shanksville, Pa. memorial and crash site, each with a personal message from family members which captures the love, pride, and longing for their hero.

Thomas Burnett Family Flags

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

The family of Flight 93 passenger Thomas Burnett left five flags at the Shanksville, Pa. memorial and crash site, each with a personal message from family members which captures the love, pride, and longing for their hero.

Thomas Burnett Family Flags

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial.

The family of Flight 93 passenger Thomas Burnett left five flags at the Shanksville, Pa. memorial and crash site, each with a personal message from family members which captures the love, pride, and longing for their hero.

Thomas Burnett Family Flags

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

The family of Flight 93 passenger Thomas Burnett left five flags at the Shanksville, Pa. memorial and crash site, each with a personal message from family members which captures the love, pride, and longing for their hero.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Item

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

Flight 93 Memorial Items

Courtesy of the National Park Service and Flight 93 Memorial

Visitors to the Flight 93 memorial and crash site in Shanksville, Pa., left various red, white, and blue remembrances, including American flag cards, hats, pins, and drawings.

GAR Sons of Veterans USA flag from Apollo, Pa.

From the Collection of Dr. Peter Keim

This flag belonged to the Sons of Veterans USA from Apollo, Pa., a patriotic group which flourished in the wake of the Civil War by providing advocacy and support for veterans.

Flag lead relief by Jasper Johns

Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, Gift of Gemini G.E.I., 1981.5.103

This lead relief flag by American contemporary artist Jasper Johns strikes a common theme with his most famous works, focusing on the visual imagery of everyday objects, often devoid of symbolism.

“Miners with Coal Police” painting

Courtesy of the John and Mary Lou O’Cilka

In this 1965 painting, artist John Michael O’Cilka portrays a group of striking coal miners interacting with the Coal Police. One of the miners holds an American flag, a shield and support that demonstrates the worker’s appreciation of the freedoms granted in this nation.

“Moonwalk” by Andy Warhol

Courtesy of The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh; Founding Collection, Contribution The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc.

Pop artist Andy Warhol’s “Moonwalk” captures the iconic moment on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first walked on the moon and planted an American flag to demonstrate the nation’s preeminence in the space race.

Rachel Albright Flag

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Service Flag

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Jay Apt Space Helmet

Courtesy of Dr. Jay Apt

This space helmet belonged to astronaut Jay Apt, a Squirrel Hill native who has logged more than 847 hours (35 days) in space.

Fragment of the Star-Spangled Banner

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History and Kenneth E. Bering Center

The sight of the “broad stripes and bright stars” on this flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write a song that eventually became the United States national anthem. This Star Spangled Banner fragment is a treasured keepsake, snipped from the flag before it was donated to the Smithsonian in 1907.

Confederate Stars and Bars

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

This tattered wool flag flew above the New Orleans Custom House at the time of the city’s capture in 1862. Like many early Confederate Stars and Bars, this 12-foot flag was made by re-sewing strips of fabric taken from a disassembled American flag

"The Star-Spangled Banner" sheet music

Courtesy of Judith Stauffer Basso

This is a rare fifth edition sheet music of Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Uncle Sam suit

Courtesy of Barbara Peake Shever

This Uncle Sam costume worn by a World War II war bonds salesman from East Liberty shows the role of the flag during wartime as the preeminent symbol of our nation.

First Flag to enter Berlin

Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution, Nation Museum of American History and Kenneth E. Bering Center

On loan from the Smithsonian, this American flag was among the first to enter Berlin on V-E Day in 1945 at the end of WWII.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts led the "Pledge of Allegiance"

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts led attendees in the “Pledge of Allegiance” and saluted the 60-foot American flag which was unfurled on the façade of the Heinz History Center.

Eureka Fire Truck

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

A service vehicle from the Eureka (Pa.) Fire Co. attended the Heinz History Center’s special ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Two fire helmets from the Eureka Fire Co. which were worn by teams sent to Ground Zero following 9/11 are on display in the Stars & Stripes exhibition.

Thomas Jefferson High School Band Marches Past American flag

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Members of the Thomas Jefferson High School Band march past the 60-foot American flag and first responder vehicles in front of the Heinz History Center.

Giant 60-foot American Flag

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County first responders helped to unfurl a giant 60-foot American flag on the façade of the Heinz History Center. (from L to R) - National anthem singer Jeff Jimerson, History Center president and CEO Andy Masich, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, and noted American flag expert Dr. Peter Keim look on.

Visitors View Clothing from 9/11 Reporter

Courtesy of the Senator John Heinz History Center

Visitors to the Stars & Stripes exhibit view clothing worn by WABC New York reporter and Uniontown native Nina Pineda while covering the 9/11 terrorist attacks at Ground Zero.