For a long time, there were 48 states. In 1959, however, two more stars were added to the flag, representing the new states of Alaska and Hawaii.

很长一段时间，美国有48个州，可是，到1959年，国旗上又多了两颗星，分别代表阿拉斯加和夏威夷。

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In 1867, the U.S. flag flew for the first time at Sitka following the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

CNN: Sunday,

From the start of the vetting process, one red flag was a state investigation into whether Palin improperly dismissed Alaska's Public Safety Commissioner for not firing her ex-brother-in-law.

CNN: After revelations, McCain gives assurances on Palin vetting