America Innovates with LEGO

What is red, white and blue and symbolizes freedom, innovation, and opportunity?
What measures 9.5’ x 14’, weighs 546 lbs. and is made of 109,200 bricks assembled by 15,000 helpful individuals? The answer: the largest LEGO American flag EVER BUILT!

The National Museum of American History is getting ready to open their new Innovation Wing. In an effort to draw community involvement, the museum opened its doors welcoming Washington DC residents and volunteer to work together with LEGO. The “America Innovates” collaboration between culture and creativity is a testament to the versatility of everyone’s favorite Danish toy! The enormous flag was created just in time to celebrate our Independence Day.

Growing up, the 4th of July was just like any other day to all my friends. They didn’t dress in their red-white-and-blue best, no sparklers, water melon or fire works. It was just another ordinary day, because we lived in Denmark. But we were an American expat family, so to honor our heritage and roots we remembered and commemorated the American National holidays. These days were teaching moments: sharing stories, memories and all the reasons why the country we left would always be in our hearts.

Seeing the project take shape in this video is incredibly heartwarming. It is a dream come true for me to watch a Danish company create something as American as our Star-Spangled Banner.

LEGO Systems Inc. builds the world’s largest LEGO American flag to celebrate the opening of the Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Washington. More than 15,000 museum visitors helped create the 9.5-by-14-foot flag using more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. (Steve Ruark/AP Images for LEGO)

Rob Neill, center, of Winter Park, Fla., and his daughters Alison, left, 6, and Cecilia, 8, help build the world’s largest LEGO American flag to celebrate the opening of the Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Washington. More than 15,000 museum visitors helped create the 9.5-by-14-foot flag using more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. (Steve Ruark/AP Images for LEGO)

The Colvin family, from left, Adrian, 4, Riley, 7, Jack, 10, and mother Shawna, of Tiffin, Iowa, take a “selfie” after helping build the world’s largest LEGO American flag to celebrate the opening of the Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Washington. More than 15,000 museum visitors helped create the 9.5-by-14-foot flag using more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. (Steve Ruark/AP Images for LEGO)

LEGO master builder Chris Steininger places a brick while building the world’s largest LEGO American flag to celebrate the opening of the Innovation Wing at the National Museum of American History on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 in Washington. More than 15,000 museum visitors helped LEGO master builders create the 9.5-by-14-foot flag using more than 100,000 LEGO bricks. (Steve Ruark/AP Images for LEGO)