Since the U.S. flag first flew on ship masts in 1777, its design has changed 27 times. More recent changes saw the 48-star flag becoming the 49-star in 1959, and 50-star in 1960. The first version of the flag looked nothing like today’s: it had 13 red-and-white stripes and the British Union Flag in the canton. John Monksy knows this sort of thing by heart. He has spent decades researching flags and other pieces of national history. Objects from his collection are now going on view at the Southampton Arts Center. Included in the show is a 1775 George Washington kerchief (which predates the first American flag) as well as flags flown on the Apollo missions. Happy birthday, America! —Elena Clavarino