This is a problem that's worried me for quite some time : if and when there are 51 United States, then how should the resulting 51 stars be arranged on the "Stars and Stripes" flag?

It's all very well to plan ahead, John, but I don't think Tony Blair could take the role reversal of being an American province. California would object to losing its #1 position in population and wackiness. And we're supposed to guarantee our states a Republican form of government -- what would become of the Queen? Besides, we don't even speak the same language. :-) [Or :-o) in the British spelling.] John has * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * for the 49 star flag. The 49 star flag was only current for a year (or two? ~1958). My memory is that the rows were staggered, like this: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * But I'm not sure if the pattern was this way or left-right reversed -- ie, with the staggering being on odd rows instead of even. Rich rcs@cs.arizona.edu