US Flag Code
- § 1 Stars and Stripes
- § 2 Additional Stars
- § 3 Use of the Flag for advertising; mutilation
- § 4 Pledge of Allegiance
- § 5 Display and use of Flag by civilians; codifications of rules and customs
- § 6 Time and occasions for display
- § 7 Position and manner of display
- § 8 Respect for flag
- § 9 Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
- § 10 Modification of rules and customs by President
The United States Flag Code
Adding Additional Stars
Title 4- US Code § 2
Old Glory or The Stars and Stripes — is known throughout the world as the symbol of freedom.
US Flag Code: Adding Additional Stars
On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission.
When Do We Add Additional Stars?
The United States adds a new star to its flag whenever a new state is admitted to the Union. The flag's design is updated to reflect the new total number of states, with each star representing one state. Historically, the addition of stars has not followed a strict schedule but occurs as new states are officially recognized.
The process is tied to the admission of a state by Congress, after which an executive order is typically issued to modify the flag's design. The updated flag, featuring the new star(s), officially takes effect on the following July 4th (Independence Day), as per tradition and the U.S. Flag Code.
For example:
The 49th star was added for Alaska on July 4, 1959, after its admission on January 3, 1959.
The 50th star was added for Hawaii on July 4, 1960, after its admission on August 21, 1959.
Since Hawaii’s admission, the flag has remained at 50 stars, as no new states have been added. If a territory like Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., or another were to gain statehood, a 51st star would be added, effective the next July 4th after Congress approves the admission. As of today, March 22, 2025, no such change has occurred, but the process would follow this established precedent if it happens in the future.