52 States or 50?
I am currently enrolled in a graphic design course in Jerusalem, John Bryce, and while the name of the school may sound very American, don’t be fooled. We are currently learning Adobe Illustrator and had to create the American Flag.
Someone in the class raised their hand and asked, “but how many stars does it have?” and the teacher answered “52” with a smile of satisfaction. There I was, the only American in the class, wanting to burst out with the right answer. But the crazy thing was that I didn’t because for a split-second I doubted myself and had to check online!
Now, I know the answer is 50 but when everyone around me was fixed on 52, I had to think twice. This might seem like a one-time occurrence but I started having flashbacks of having the same debate with at least a few other Israelis. Oh Alaska and Hawaii, you are so tricky.
Israelis aren’t alone; check out this search on Google for 52 states.
Maybe one day America will capture 2 more states and maybe Israel is hoping to be one of them. But, until that day, let’s stick with 50.
The Big Felafel 
Is there really any significant discussion or desire among Israelis to become a state of the USA?
If so, which factions are for and which are against it, what are their reasons and what percentages of the vote do they each comprise?
How would Jewish prophesies of a coming messiah-king affect entering into and maintaining statehood?
How would recent US involvement with Palestinians in the middle-east peace process affect it?
Statehood would drag the US into Israel’s multi-millenial conflict with the surrounding nations and peoples.
Where is the US’ benefit in accepting Israel as a state?
Just a few thoughts to consider.
| Posted 14 years, 6 months agoAlaska and Hawaii are the 49th and 50th. The only “bogus” state is the District of Columbia, also known as Washington DC – which is not a state or part of one to not give any state an advantage.
Not sure where the 52 state myth came from, but it’s all over the world – including in the US.
| Posted 13 years, 10 months agoThis is the story of my life!
| Posted 13 years, 6 months agoI’m an American living in London and I’ve yet to meet a British person who doesn’t think there are 52 states. One person told me that’s what they’re taught in schools. They find it so hard to believe when I tell them the truth!
People in the Unites States sometimes refer to the 50 states as 52. The extra two are the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
| Posted 13 years, 5 months ago