HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG

The American flag stands for unity and strength. By tradition, its colors carry meaning drawn from the Great Seal: red for valor and bravery, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. For every American, the flag is a source of pride, and it has flown for more than 200 years.

The story begins during the Revolution. On January 1, 1776, as George Washington besieged the British in Boston, his troops raised the Grand Union Flag above their camp. It carried 13 red and white stripes, with the British Union Jack in the upper-left corner.

By tradition, Betsy Ross sewed one of the first Stars and Stripes around this time. However, historians note that the story first appeared in 1870, and no one has ever confirmed it. The flag became official soon after. On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the Flag Resolution: 13 stripes, alternating red and white, with 13 white stars on a blue field. So we still mark that date as Flag Day.

The design kept changing as the country grew. In 1794, Congress added two stripes and two stars, for 15 of each, after Vermont and Kentucky joined. In fact, that is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired the Star-Spangled Banner. Then, in 1818, Congress returned the stripes to 13 for the original colonies. After that, it added one star for each new state on the Fourth of July.

The star pattern settled over the next century. In 1912, President Taft arranged the 48 stars in six rows of eight. In 1959, Alaska brought a 49-star flag. Finally, in 1960, Hawaii made it 50 stars, set in nine staggered rows — the flag we fly today.

So today our flag has seven red and six white stripes, 13 in all, for the original colonies. Likewise, the 50 stars stand for the 50 states of the Union. For more, browse our state flags, or see our guide to the first 13 states.

Want to know more about the history of the American flag? Call Flag World Company at 303-623-0589.