Bob Heft's 50-Star Flag Design & Legacy | Jan 19

Published January 19, 2026 at 12:00 AM EST

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On this day in 1941, Bob Heft was born in Saginaw, Michigan. At 17, he designed the 50-star American flag, which earned him a B-minus in class but later a call from President Eisenhower. This flag remains the longest-serving design in U.S. history.