Fifty Years of 50 Stars

It’s Independence Day, and we’re 234 years old. We’ve gotta celebrate, but how?

Exactly 50 years ago, on July 4, 1960, the 50-star flag of the United States was flown for the first time in Philadelphia. The 50th star was added because Hawaii had been admitted as the 50th state only the year before.

We’ve now had 50 years of 50 stars.

That feels kind of neat and complete, doesn’t it? For years, there’s been talk of adding Puerto Rico as a 51st state, and debate tends to swirl around political, economic and cultural issues. But it may be that Congress is simply unwilling to add a 51st star to the flag.

By the way, do you know what the 49-star American flag said to the 50-star American flag?

Nothing. It just waved.

Judeo-Christian numerology

As human beings, we like certain numbers. And this goes way back. Since ancient times, people have attached symbolic significance to numbers. For the Israelites, the number one signified uniqueness or undivided wholeness. The book of Deuteronomy says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (6:4, KJV).

Three is largely regarded...