The History of the American Flag

Notes on Design:

The United States' flag has alternating red and white horizontal stripes. They made thirteen stripes to represent the thirteen colonies. The number of stars on the blue field represent the number of colonies or states in existence at the time. As time went on, there were fifteen stars and fifteen stripes, but it soon became clear that the flag would become too long. Congress decreed that after July 4, 1818 there would only be thirteen stripes to represent the thirteen original colonies and that there would be one star for each state. However, any time a new state was admitted, a new star would be added on the next fourth of July.

Flag Designs:

Flag of the United Kingdom



United States National Flag (1776-1777)



United States National Flag (1777-1795)



United States National Flag (1795-1818)

Whenever a new state is admitted, a new design must be announced.

New England Flag or Flag of Bunker Hill



The Valley Forge Flag



Flag of the Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy