History of the United States Flag: 1777 to the 50-Star Flag

1777: the first national flag resolution

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved that the flag should have thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The resolution established the basic stars-and-stripes idea but did not prescribe a precise star arrangement.

1795: fifteen stars and fifteen stripes

After Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union, the official flag grew to fifteen stars and fifteen stripes. This was the flag associated with Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 and the inspiration for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

1818: Congress fixes the stripes at thirteen

As more states entered the Union, continuing to add both stars and stripes became impractical. Congress therefore restored the stripe count to thirteen and established the rule that a star would be added for each new state on the July 4 following admission.

1912 and 1959: federal design standards

For much of U.S. history, star arrangements varied. Presidential executive orders eventually standardized dimensions and star placement. Executive Order 10834, issued in 1959 after Hawaii’s admission, established the modern 50-star design and official proportions used by federal agencies.

1960: the current 50-star flag

Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. Under federal law, the new star became effective on the following Independence Day, so the current flag officially began on July 4, 1960. It has now been used longer than any previous U.S. flag design.

Was Betsy Ross the designer?

The familiar Betsy Ross story is an important part of American flag folklore, but documentary evidence for her designing the first U.S. flag is limited. The 1777 congressional resolution itself does not identify a designer. For historical research, it is safer to distinguish the documented resolution from later tradition.

Key dates