“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.”

The first official American flag was approved by the Continental Congress in 1777, and has flown as our national emblem in some form without interruption since. Each one of the stars represented a state and each one of the 13 stripes represented the 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. The United States Flag has gone by different names over the years – The Red, White, and Blue; Old Glory; The Stars and Stripes; and The Star Spangled Banner. Regardless of what people refer to it as, it’s meaning has never changed.

The American flag has stood as a symbol of freedom and justice for over 225 years. Through times of war and times of peace, the sight of the American flag has always shown its honor and glory.

The Original Flag

The historic 13-star flag, flown from 1777-1795, officially became the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777. This date is actually celebrated every year in the United States and is recognized as Flag Day. Interestingly, there is some controversy between what flag design was the original flag of The United States. Some say it was Old Glory which is a 13-star American flag with the stars spaced out in the upper left hand corner (similar to the present day flag). Though there is no conclusive proof, Francis Hopkinson, a congressman from New Jersey and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is credited with designing this flag.

Others claim the 1st American flag was the Betsy Ross named after an American upholsterer and flag maker. In the spring of 1776, the legend goes that George Washington, accompanied by Robert Morris and George Ross were looking to commission a new American flag, and showed Besty the sketched design. Similar to Old Glory, this flag design also includes the 13 stars, however, the stars are placed in a circle, rather than evenly spaced out. It was finished in the summer of 1776. Now many scholars discount this story, due to the many inconsistencies in the story and the paper trail that goes along with it. 

13-star Old Glory or Betsy Ross? We'll let you decide! 

26 Flags Later

Through the decades, the American flag went through 26 versions to get to the flag we know and love today. Naturally, as our country grew and expanded we continued to represent each new state by adding a new star to the flag. Today the U.S. Flag represents all 50 states and the original 13 Colonies.

The American flag remains a living piece of history and a source of pride and unity for all Americans. The Stars and Stripes embody the very qualities that make our nation great: liberty, justice, freedom, and the love of country.

Other Historical Flags

Check out a couple of other historical flags and interesting facts:

• The Bennington Flag, also known as the Fillmore Flag, was originally named because of its presence at the Battle of Bennington. The flag was representative of the thirteen colonies and their support for the signing of the Declaration in 1776.
• The Gadsden Flag and other rattlesnake flags were widely used during the American Revolution. There was no standard American flag at the time. The Gadsden flag was first used in February 1776. The flag depicts a rattlesnake in the attitude of going to strike with the words 'DONT TREAD ON ME' underneath.