History of the American Flag

Discover the evolution and significance of the Stars and Stripes

Key Points

  • Research suggests Francis Hopkinson likely designed the first American Flag in 1777, though the popular Betsy Ross story lacks solid evidence, sparking ongoing debate.
  • The flag evolved from 13 stars and stripes for the original colonies to the current 50-star design since 1960, reflecting U.S. growth, with 27 versions overall.
  • It became a symbol of unity during the Civil War and is celebrated with Flag Day on June 14 and the Pledge of Allegiance, embodying national identity.
  • The colors—red, white, and blue—have suggested meanings like purity and valor, but there's no official symbolism, adding to its interpretive richness.

Early History

The American Flag's journey began with the Continental Colors in 1775, featuring 13 stripes and the British Union Jack, used until the first official Stars and Stripes in 1777, now celebrated as Flag Day (Wikipedia).

Design Evolution

Initially, both stars and stripes increased with new states, but by 1818, Congress fixed stripes at 13 and added stars for each new state, effective July 4 following admission, leading to the current 50-star flag since 1960 (Britannica).

Cultural Significance

During the Civil War, the flag symbolized Union unity, gaining popularity after the 1861 attack on Fort Sumter, and today, it's celebrated through traditions like the Pledge of Allegiance, reinforcing its role in American identity (American Battlefield Trust).

Detailed History of the American Flag

The American Flag, commonly known as the Stars and Stripes, is a dynamic symbol of the United States, reflecting its historical, political, and cultural evolution. This detailed examination provides a comprehensive history, from its early beginnings to its modern form, incorporating historical records and scholarly sources.

The history of the American Flag begins with the Continental Colors, also referred to as the Grand Union Flag, first hoisted on December 3, 1775, aboard the Alfred, a ship commissioned by the Continental Congress. This flag featured 13 horizontal red and white stripes, representing the 13 colonies, with the British Union Jack in the canton (upper left corner). It was used until June 14, 1777, and is notable for its similarity to the British East India Company flag (1701–1801), highlighting the colonies' initial connection to Britain. This flag was significant during the early stages of the Revolutionary War, symbolizing unity while still under British rule.

Other early flags include the Gadsden Flag, designed in 1775 by Christopher Gadsden, which featured a yellow field with a coiled rattlesnake and the motto "DONT TREAD ON ME." Used by the Continental Marines, it remains a symbol of American patriotism today. The Moultrie Flag, commissioned in 1775 by Colonel William Moultrie, had a navy blue field with a white crescent moon and the word "LIBERTY," and was flown at the Battle of Sullivan's Island in June 1776, marking an early symbol of resistance.

The first official national flag, the Stars and Stripes, was adopted on June 14, 1777, through the first Flag Act passed by the Continental Congress. This resolution stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." This design, with 13 stars and 13 stripes, symbolized the 13 original colonies and was first flown in battle on August 3, 1777, at Fort Schuyler during the Siege of Fort Stanwix. June 14 is now celebrated as Flag Day, commemorating this adoption.

The design of the first Stars and Stripes is a subject of historical debate. Research suggests that Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey congressman and signer of the Declaration of Independence, likely designed the flag in 1777. He also claimed to have designed a naval flag and submitted a bill for his work in May 1780, documented in the Journals of the Continental Congress and George Hasting's biography. However, Congress did not pay him, citing his role as a government official, and no surviving illustrations of his design exist, leaving some uncertainty.

The popular legend of Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, attributes the creation of the first Stars and Stripes to her. The story, first publicly suggested in 1870 by her grandson William Canby, claims that George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross visited her in Spring 1776 to discuss the flag's design, and she suggested a five-pointed star instead of a six-pointed one. While Ross was indeed a flag maker, as evidenced by historical records, there is no conclusive evidence supporting her role in designing the first official flag. This legend, while culturally significant, remains controversial due to the lack of primary documentation.

Early flags had various star arrangements, such as 3-2-3-2-3, a circle, or rows, with the Betsy Ross flag (13 stars in a circle) dated to 1792 in a John Trumbull painting, suggesting later variations rather than the original design.

The American Flag has undergone 26 official changes since 1777, with the current design being the 27th version, reflecting the addition of new states. Initially, both stars and stripes were added to represent new states, but this became impractical as the nation grew.

  • 1795 (Second Flag Act): The flag was updated to include 15 stars and 15 stripes to represent Vermont (admitted 1791) and Kentucky (admitted 1792). This design was used until July 3, 1818, and is notable for being the flag during the War of 1812. A version of this flag, sewn by Mary Pickersgill, was seen by Francis Scott Key at Fort McHenry in September 1814, inspiring "The Star-Spangled Banner," now on display at the Smithsonian Institution (National Museum of American History).
  • 1818 (Third Flag Act): With five more states admitted, adding stripes became unwieldy. Congress passed the Third Flag Act on April 4, 1818, which fixed the number of stripes at 13 (representing the original colonies) and specified that a star would be added for each new state, with the change taking effect on July 4 following the state's admission. This act, documented in historical government records (Our Flag), established the precedent for future flag modifications.
  • 1912: The 48-star flag was adopted after New Mexico and Arizona became states, marking the first flag with an officially specified star arrangement (6 rows of 8). It was used from July 4, 1912, to July 3, 1959, for 47 years, the longest of any design until that point.
  • 1959–1960: The 49-star flag was briefly used from July 4, 1959, to July 3, 1960, after Alaska's admission. The 50-star flag was adopted on July 4, 1960, following Hawaii's admission, and has been in use ever since. The current design features 50 stars arranged in 9 rows (alternating between 6 and 5 stars) and 13 stripes, and as of May 12, 2025, it has been in use for over 64 years, surpassing the 48-star flag in longevity.

Flag Evolution Table

Number of Stars Number of Stripes Key Changes/States Represented Dates in Use Duration
013Continental Colors (no stars)1775–17772 years
1313Original design, 13 colonies1777–179518 years
1515Vermont, Kentucky1795–181823 years
2013Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi1818–18191 year
2113Illinois1819–18201 year
2313Alabama, Maine1820–18222 years
2413Missouri1822–183614 years
2513Arkansas1836–18371 year
2613Michigan1837–18458 years
2713Florida1845–18461 year
2813Texas1846–18471 year
2913Iowa1847–18481 year
3013Wisconsin1848–18513 years
3113California1851–18587 years
3213Minnesota1858–18591 year
3313Oregon1859–18612 years
3413Kansas1861–18632 years
3513West Virginia1863–18652 years
3613Nevada1865–18672 years
3713Nebraska1867–187710 years
3813Colorado1877–189013 years
4313North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho1890–18911 year
4413Wyoming1891–18965 years
4513Utah1896–190812 years
4613Oklahoma1908–19124 years
4813New Mexico, Arizona1912–195947 years
4913Alaska1959–19601 year
5013Hawaii1960–present64+ years

Prior to the Civil War, the flag was rarely seen outside military forts, government buildings, and ships. Its popularity surged in 1861 as a symbol of opposition to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, becoming a powerful emblem of the Union during the conflict. Union victory in the Civil War solidified its status as a national flag, and its use expanded significantly in the 20th century as the U.S. emerged as a superpower, making it one of the most widely recognized symbols globally.

The flag has several well-known nicknames, including "the Stars and Stripes," "Old Glory," "the Star-Spangled Banner," and "the Red, White, and Blue." The name "Old Glory" was coined in 1831 by William Driver, a sea captain from Massachusetts, for his personal 24-star flag, which he flew over the Tennessee Statehouse after the Civil War, now a primary artifact at the National Museum of American History (PBS).

The Pledge of Allegiance, written by Francis Bellamy in 1892, and Flag Day (June 14) are dedicated to the flag, emphasizing its role in American identity. The flag's colors have suggested meanings, with Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, proposing in 1782 that white represents purity and innocence, red hardiness and valor, and blue vigilance, perseverance, and justice. However, there is no official symbolism, and these interpretations are based on historical suggestions rather than legislative decree.

In 1912, President William Howard Taft issued an executive order standardizing the flag's proportions, and in 1934, the exact shades of color were standardized, ensuring consistency in its design. The current 50-star flag, adopted in 1960, has been in use for over 64 years as of May 12, 2025, making it the longest-used version in U.S. history, surpassing the 48-star flag (used from 1912 to 1959).

Legal and cultural debates have also shaped the flag's history. In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson that flag desecration laws were unconstitutional, protecting such acts under the First Amendment as free speech. This decision, detailed in legal analyses (Britannica), sparked ongoing debates about the balance between patriotism and freedom of expression, highlighting the flag's role as both a unifying symbol and a point of contention.

The American Flag's history is a tapestry of change, reflecting the nation's growth from 13 colonies to 50 states. Its design, from the Continental Colors to the current 50-star flag, mirrors key historical moments, including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. While figures like Francis Hopkinson and Betsy Ross are associated with its early design, the flag's true history is a collective effort shaped by Congress and the American people. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of unity, freedom, and national identity, celebrated through traditions like Flag Day and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Key Citations