# Why does Disney use "fake" American flags? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 6, 2022, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384 "2022-04-06T11:28:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/41 "2022-04-07T14:24:25Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > Fairly sure that that second flag, the one with “76” in the canton, was never an official US flag. I think they came up with that for the buycentennial. So, I looked it up – it has a name (the “Bennington Flag”), and while it’s not clear that it actually dates back to the Revolutionary War (though there are claims that it was used at the Battle of Bennington in 1777), there’s a fair amount of evidence that it was used with some frequency in the 19th century. It doesn’t appear that it was ever an “official” U.S. flag, that’s true. > **[Bennington flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bennington_flag)** > > The Bennington flag is a version of the American flag associated with the American Revolution Battle of Bennington, from which it derives its name. Its distinguishing feature is the inclusion of a large '76' in the canton, a reference to the year 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. > Like many Revolution era flags, the Bennington features 13 stars and 13 stripes, symbolic of the 13 American colonies that were in a state of rebellion against Great Britain. The Bennington version i... ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/42 "2022-04-07T14:28:39Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Here’s another picture that better shows it’s at Disney and you can clearly see the 3 rows of 7 and 3 rows of 8 stars. Thanks. I now accept the premise. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/43 "2022-04-07T14:43:49Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m surprised that Tomorrowland doesn’t fly say a 52 star flag. I think that could be considered in bad taste. Flying the 45-star flag has the support of the rule that any flag that was, at some stage, an official flag continues to be so; even if that rule doesn’t have statutory status it is widely accepted. A 52-star flag, on the other hand, has never been official and would simply be made up. Even if the Flag Code is not enforceable, and Disney would be well within its rights to fly such a made-up flag if it wished to do so, I think that many people who care about flags would consider this inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/44 "2022-04-07T14:57:40Z")
Dude, it’s in the thumbnail for the video I posted that explains everything. I even wrote “here’s an example of the 45-star flag.” ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/45 "2022-04-07T16:06:02Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > A 52-star flag, on the other hand, has never been official and would simply be made up Kinda like a trip thru inner space or a mission to Mars? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/46 "2022-04-07T16:16:10Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m surprised that Tomorrowland doesn’t fly say a 52 star flag. > [@Schnitte](#): > > I think that could be considered in bad taste. - After letting Trump’s dry-humping the flag slide, there’s no actual grounds for complaint. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/47 "2022-04-07T16:45:32Z")
Is it correct to say that Americans have a weird obsession with American flag etiquette and other nations aren’t as worried about their flags are treated? I was at a presentation by the curator of an exhibition that includes [this art installation.](https://www.google.com/search?as_st=y&tbm=isch&hl=en&as_q=tribune-herald+hilo&as_epq=Kilo+I+ka+Mo%27o&as_oq=&as_eq=&imgar=&imgcolor=&imgtype=&cr=&as_sitesearch=&safe=images&as_filetype=&tbs=#imgrc=MMRddswxWk36zM) \* The curator explained that the original concept had the flag on the floor but, recognizing that people might find that offensive, she put the flag on a low pedestal instead. But she was a pains to say that she hadn’t intended to symbolically “put the flag on a pedestal” either. A couple of people present who were not American were very puzzled as to why any of this would matter. The Americans in the room had to explain just how seriously Americans take the treatment of the flag. I don’t know if the foreigners were ignorant of their own country’s customs, or if Americans are just weird about their flag. I suspect the latter. \*It’s a very symbolic piece. The portraits are of Haunani Kay Trask and Mililani Trask, two very significant Hawaiian leaders/activists. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/48 "2022-04-07T18:16:50Z")
Overt displays of patriotism seem to be a particularly (though I’d imagine not uniquely) American affectation, flags particularly so. You don’t see as much flag flying in other countries on personal homes, cars, or clothing. I do wonder if that came from cold war McCarthyism, the Civil War, or some other time period. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/49 "2022-04-07T18:23:04Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > Is it correct to say that Americans have a weird obsession with American flag etiquette I think it’s correct to say that _some_ Americans do, but it also seems, as several posts upthread have suggested, that they can be a bit hypocritical about it – criticizing people and organizations that they don’t like for violations of the Flag Code, while simultaneously embracing other uses of the flag (such as clothing) which fit their political stance. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/50 "2022-04-07T18:38:21Z")
It’s also a generational thing - I was raised to treat the flag with extreme reverence (it didn’t take, but I was certainly taught that the flag is very special), but I am not sure schools, the Girl Scouts, etc., try to inculcate kids today the same way. But, what I’m really asking is not about divisions or hypocrisy with American attitudes. I’m curious if OTHER countries fetishize the flag the way Americans historically have, all inconsistencies aside. (You’d think I might have some clue as to the answer, have lived practically my whole adult life outside the US, but the topic of flags never came up, so I really can’t say.) ETA @jjakucyk - sorry, didn’t see your post at first. You did address my question directly. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/51 "2022-04-07T18:49:40Z")
> [@jjakucyk](#): > > I do wonder if that came from cold war McCarthyism, the Civil War, or some other time period. It seems to be a cyclical thing. It certainly did have a peak in the '50s, as a result of the Red Scare/McCarthyism/the Cold War (and that’s when “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance), and then had another resurgence after 9/11 (which seems to still be ongoing now). ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/52 "2022-04-07T20:56:36Z")
If by “Main Street USA” they’re going for the US at the turn of the 19th/20th century, then there wouldn’t have been 50 stars on the flag. Ergo, they’re using period-appropriate flags. As a bonus, they don’t have to adhere to the Flag Code, since they’re not “real” US flags. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/53 "2022-04-07T21:06:13Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > At the Magic Kingdom, Disney does a flag retreat everyday to get the flag down before night time. Yup, by the train station. I believe _every_ day they try to get a park visitor who is a veteran or active military to serve on the color guard. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/54 "2022-04-07T21:12:49Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I am not sure schools, the Girl Scouts, etc., try to inculcate kids today the same way. Color guard was a very serious honor in my grade school, c. mid-2000s. Likewise in Boy Scouts c. mid-2010s. In high school the ROTC handled colors every morning and evening, and as far as I know they always treated the flags with proper respect. Everyone in the stadium still takes off their hat and (if able-bodied) stands to face the flag for the national anthem, as of a spring training game I attended last week. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/55 "2022-04-07T21:16:45Z")
[Moderating] > [@running\_coach](#): > > After letting Trump’s dry-humping the flag slide, there’s no actual grounds for complaint. Given that @engineer_comp_geek already had a mod note in this thread telling people to cut the politicking, I’m afraid this is going to have to be a Warning. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384/56 "2022-04-08T23:07:30Z")
There was some doubt up-thread about the concept that “any past US flag is still a valid US flag,” and I’m not sure if that was resolved. As for myself, I often fly a current flag, and on national holidays, I fly the circle-of-13 Betsy Ross model. My porch light is on 24/7, so I don’t feel a need to take it down at sundown. I resent the fact that some political/social factions have hijacked the Betsy as “their” flag. They see displaying it as an act of rebellion, but if it’s still a valid flag, it’s no more rebellious than flying the 50. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-disney-use-fake-american-flags/962384.md?page=2)