| On that historic day, the flag of the United States of | | | | in 1819 after having been a part of the Spanish Empire |
| America came into existence and this form remains | | | | for 300 years. The southern expansion of the United |
| unchanged to the present day. Just who designed the | | | | States was now complete and the nation turned its |
| first flag or who made it is a question still debated by | | | | attention to pushing back western frontiers. |
| historians. Some believe that Betsy Ross designed the | | | | 10th US Flag in 1846 |
| first flag, although claims have also been made that | | | | Texas had once been an integral part of the Spanish |
| Francis Hopkinson, a Congressman, designed and | | | | domain on the North American continent. Spain |
| made the first flag. Historical records do show that | | | | controlled Texas for nearly 300 years until 1821. In 1836, |
| Betsy Ross made flags for the government in 1777, | | | | Texas declared its independence from Mexico and |
| but whether she made the first United States flag will | | | | became an independent nation. In 1845, President |
| probably always remain in doubt. In 1782, the Congress | | | | James K. Polk admitted Texas as the 28th state. This |
| of the confederation reaffirmed the choice of the | | | | action directly led to war with Mexico and thus fixed |
| Continental Congress by stating that the national seal | | | | the southern boundary of Texas as the Rio Grande. |
| and the flag would remain red, white and blue. Deeper | | | | 11th US Flag in 1847 |
| meaning was also given to the flag and its design. The | | | | In late 1846, the Midwest gave birth to another state - |
| thirteen original states would always be represented | | | | Iowa. Once a part of the Louisiana Purchase, Iowa |
| by the seven red stripes and the six white ones. | | | | was admitted to the Union as a free state to become |
| However, they left open the question of how the stars | | | | the first free state to come from that purchase. An |
| on the blue union would be arranged. In 1777, Congress | | | | uprising by the Sioux Indian Nation plagued Iowans |
| had not specified any particular design for the | | | | during their early years of statehood. |
| arrangement of the stars and some flags had thirteen | | | | 12th US Flag in 1848 |
| stars in a circle. Others had twelve in a circle with the | | | | Wisconsin preserved the balance that was |
| thirteenth in the center. By 1782 though, almost all the | | | | precariously being kept between free and slave states |
| national flags had the thirteen stars in a circle. In 1794, | | | | when admitted to the Union in 1848. There were 15 |
| Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union | | | | free and 15 slave states in 1848. During the drive for |
| bringing the number of states to fifteen. Congress | | | | statehood, the Ripon Convention was held, later to be |
| ordered that all new flags would carry fifteen stars | | | | claimed as the beginnings of the Republican Party. |
| and fifteen stripes, and that a star and a stripe would | | | | 13th US Flag in 1851 |
| be added as each new state joined the Union. This | | | | In 1848, the discovery of gold in the American River at |
| would later prove to be too cumbersome and would | | | | Sutter's Mill, CA, touched off the "Gold Rush" of 1849. |
| soon be abandoned. This flag, with its fifteen stars and | | | | This set into motion a tide of settlers. Previously in |
| fifteen stripes, is the flag Americans carried in the War | | | | 1846, a small group of Americans had proclaimed |
| of 1812. By 1817, The Union was expanded by five | | | | California independent from Mexico. The need for |
| more states: Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and | | | | immediate government organization led to the |
| Mississippi. This expansion meant a new flag. Samuel | | | | admission of California as the 31st state in 1850. |
| C. Reid, a navy captain, redesigned the flag using the | | | | 14th US Flag in 1858 |
| original thirteen stripes and adding a star for each of | | | | In 1851, by the Treaty of Mendota, the Indians gave up |
| the twenty states. This idea was proposed to | | | | all claims to land in Minnesota and throngs of settlers |
| Congress by Peter Wendover, a representative from | | | | swarmed into the territory. There were enough people |
| New York. It was passed as the New Flag Act, and | | | | in the state to grant admission to the Union and |
| the date was set as July 4th next after a new state | | | | Minnesota became our 32nd state on May 11th of that |
| had been admitted to the Union as the day on which a | | | | year. |
| new flag would be flown. Congress again left open the | | | | 15th US Flag in 1859 |
| question of how the stars might be arranged, so the | | | | During James K. Polk's presidential campaign, the issue |
| design was left to individual flag makers. In later years, | | | | was the Oregon Territory. "Fifty-four forty or Fight" |
| the President has usually proclaimed how the stars | | | | was the slogan. Statehood for Oregon would mean |
| would be arranged and all flags must agree with the | | | | the consolidation of the Pacific coastline as members |
| Presidential proclamation. New states were constantly | | | | of the United States. In 1859, Oregon became the 33rd |
| being admitted to the Union and the United States had | | | | state in the Union. Our 15th flag was raised that year. |
| thirteen national flags between 1817 and 1861. During | | | | 16th US Flag in 1861 |
| the Civil War, we had another two flags with the | | | | January 29, 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union |
| admission of Kansas and West Virginia. Union troops | | | | as the 34th state. Kansas had been a state for less |
| fought under a 33-star flag during the first three | | | | than three months when the nation went to war. On |
| months of the war; a 34-star flag until 1863; and a | | | | April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries opened fire on Ft. |
| 35-star flag until the end of the war. President Lincoln | | | | Sumter and four years of a bitter civil war battle were |
| refused to take out the stars of the southern states | | | | fought. This flag was carried into battle by Union |
| which had seceded. After the war had ended, the | | | | troops until 1863. It carried 34 stars. |
| nation began to move west. Nebraska joined the Union | | | | 17th US Flag in 1863 |
| in 1867; followed in 1877 by Colorado; 1890 by North | | | | As Virginia decided to throw its lot in with the new |
| Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington and | | | | Confederacy, several northwestern counties of the |
| Idaho; 1891 by Wyoming; 1896 by Utah; and 1908 by | | | | state decided to remain loyal to the Union. The result |
| Oklahoma. During this period of transition in the country, | | | | was the formation of a new state, West Virginia, |
| we had six more national flags. The twenty-third flag, | | | | marking the first time a new state has resulted from a |
| adopted in 1896, was the flag that we fought under | | | | rebellion against the original state. This fledgling was |
| during the Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1912, | | | | admitted as the 35th state, June 20, 1863. |
| Arizona and New Mexico were admitted to the Union | | | | 18th US Flag in 1865 |
| and thus the United States needed another new flag. | | | | The Confederate States of America were in their last |
| This was the twenty-fifth flag, adopted in 1912, and | | | | hours when Nevada was admitted to the Union as the |
| which lasted until 1959. The total of 47 years that this | | | | 36th state. Because the war was ending with the |
| flag flew over the nation represents the longest period | | | | victory of the Union, little jubilation went up for the |
| of duration of any one flag of the United States. This | | | | admittance of Nevada. Little notice was paid to the |
| flag was carried to the battlefields of World War I and | | | | fact that this flag bore 36 stars when it was raised in |
| World War II, as well as the Korean War. In 1959, | | | | 1865. |
| Alaska was admitted as the 49th state of the Union. | | | | 19th US Flag in 1867 |
| The 49-star flag, adopted in 1959, was raised at 12:01 | | | | Nebraska applied for admission into the nation as the |
| a.m. on July 4th, 1959, over Ft. McHenry to signal the | | | | Reconstruction era opened in American history. A |
| official admittance of Alaska. This flag lasted but a | | | | bitter struggle developed between President Andrew |
| short while for on July 4th, 1960, the United States | | | | Johnson and Congress. President Johnson vetoed the |
| raised the present 50-star flag signaling the admission | | | | bill making Nebraska the 37th state, but Congress |
| of Hawaii as our 50th and last state. To date, we | | | | overrode the veto. Nebraska became the 37th state in |
| have had twenty-seven national flags, and they have | | | | 1867 and the 37th star on our flag. |
| all flown in glory over this great nation, the United | | | | 20th US Flag in 1877 |
| States. | | | | Gold was discovered in the Colorado Territory in 1858 |
| 27 Flags of the United States | | | | bringing in thousands of new settlers. Hostile Indians |
| 1st US Flag 1777-1795 | | | | and the extremely hard terrain of the country did not |
| The Betsy Ross Flag. To this day, the actual maker of | | | | deter the new pioneers. With them, they brought the |
| this flag remains unknown. This almost casually | | | | determination to become a state and in 1876, Colorado |
| constructed national emblem incorporated the | | | | was admitted as the 38th state. |
| unchanging design of thirteen stripes with a | | | | 21st US Flag in 1890 |
| thirteen-star union. Although this claim is seriously in | | | | With the admission of North Dakota, South Dakota, |
| doubt, Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, is said to | | | | Montana, Washington and Idaho in 1889-90, five new |
| have made the first American flag. This claim was first | | | | stars were added to our flag. These states were the |
| made by William J. Canby, her grandson, in 1870. His | | | | last of the Northwest Territories to become states |
| claim is based on the signed statements of several | | | | and completed the expansion of the country along the |
| persons, including Betsy Ross' daughters, nieces and | | | | Canadian border. Completion of railroads speeded the |
| granddaughters. Historical records do show that she | | | | growth of these states. |
| made flags for the government in 1777, but there is no | | | | 22nd US Flag in 1891 |
| proof she made the first flag. The second claim as the | | | | The twenty-first flag was obsolete six days after it |
| maker of the first flag was by Congressman Francis | | | | was raised. On July 10, 1890, Wyoming was admitted |
| Hopkinson. Shortly after the adoption of the first flag | | | | to the Union as the 44th state. Wyoming had become |
| by Congress in 1777, Hopkinson came forward and | | | | a territory in 1845 when Texas was annexed to the |
| asserted that he was the maker of the original flag. | | | | United States and relinquished its claim to this area. On |
| This claim is unsubstantiated by historical records, and | | | | July 4th, 1891, the twenty-second flag was raised with |
| so the real maker of the flag will probably always | | | | 44 stars. |
| remain in doubt. It's unfortunate, for this design has | | | | 23rd US Flag in 1896 |
| remained unchanged for almost 200 years. | | | | Utah became a territory of the United States in 1848. |
| 2nd US Flag 1795-1818 | | | | Its first constitution was established in 1849 as the |
| In 1791, Vermont was admitted to the Union and the | | | | Mormon state of the Deseret. Congress changed the |
| following year Kentucky was also admitted. By 1974, it | | | | name to Utah in 1850, and a running argument began |
| became apparent to Congress that the country | | | | between Utah and the U.S. Congress over the |
| needed a new flag. Congress decided to change the | | | | question of polygamy. In 1890, the Mormon Church |
| basic structure of the flag and add not only two more | | | | outlawed this practice and in 1896, Utah became the |
| stars, but two more stripes. The 15-stripe flag was | | | | 45th state. |
| ordered flown after May 1, 1795. This 15-star flag was | | | | 24th US Flag in 1908 |
| flown during the War of 1812 and during the United | | | | The Indian Territory of Oklahoma was opened to |
| States' war with the Barbary States. It was this flag | | | | settlers in 1889 and resulted in the first Oklahoma land |
| that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the | | | | run. Thousands of settlers, farmers, ranchers and |
| "Star-Spangled Banner." It also inspired a heated | | | | pioneers rushed into the new territory to begin a new |
| debate in the Congress over the change from 13 to 15 | | | | life. This migration resulted in the admission of |
| stripes in the banner. Between 1795 and 1818, five new | | | | Oklahoma to the Union on November 16, 1907, as the |
| states were admitted to the Union and a new flag | | | | 46th state. |
| was needed. A navy captain redesigned the flag and | | | | 25th US Flag in 1912 |
| returned to the 13 original stripes, but added a star for | | | | In 1912, New Mexico and Arizona were the 47th and |
| each new state. Finally, the idea was accepted by | | | | 48th continental states admitted into the union. The |
| Congress because it was easier to change the stars | | | | 48-star flag came into existence in that year and |
| than the stripes. Congress adopted this idea and also | | | | lasted for 47 years, longer than any other US flag. |
| stipulated that on the July 4th following the admission | | | | Under this banner we fought World War I, World War II |
| of a new state; a new star would be flown in the flag | | | | and the Korean War. |
| to represent the state. | | | | 26th US Flag in 1959 |
| 3rd US Flag in 1818 | | | | On July 7, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed |
| Our third flag saw a return to tradition as Congress | | | | the bill making Alaska the 49th state of the Union. The |
| decided to return to the thirteen stripes, but to add a | | | | admission of Alaska marked the first time a state had |
| star as each new state joined the Union. Designed by | | | | been admitted that had not been in the continental |
| navy captain Samuel Reid, this flag was proposed to | | | | United States. Secretary of State William Seward |
| Congress on April 4, 1818, and changed back to | | | | purchased Alaska from Russia for $7 million, or two |
| thirteen stripes. This flag had 20 stars and became | | | | cents an acre. Alaska became the 49th star. |
| official July 4, 1818. This flag is also called the "Great | | | | 27th US Flag in 1960 |
| Star Flag" because the 20 stars were sometimes | | | | At Hawaii's request in 1898, Hawaii was annexed by |
| arranged to form a star. | | | | the United States. In 1903, the territorial legislature |
| 4th US Flag in 1819 | | | | petitioned Congress for admission to the Union, but |
| The 21st star in the flag represented the admission of | | | | was denied. Not much was thought of Hawaii until the |
| the state of Illinois on December 3, 1818. The | | | | bombing of Pearl Harbor when Americans realized |
| Northwest Territory was rapidly becoming settled and | | | | what an integral part of the U.S. Hawaii was. On March |
| four new states would be carved out of this section | | | | 18, 1959, Hawaii became our 50th state and the last |
| of the country. 1818 was also the year that the United | | | | star in the flag. |
| States-Canada boundary dispute was settled, making | | | | Respect for the Flago The flag should always be |
| it the longest open border in the world. | | | | carried upright, aloft and free.o The flag should be |
| 5th US Flag in 1820 | | | | displayed high above and free of anything beneath it, |
| The hot issue of the day was whether the nation | | | | such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.o |
| could keep the balance between free and slave | | | | The flag should always be allowed to fall freely. Use |
| states. Alabama was admitted in 1819, giving the | | | | bunting - not the U.S. flag - to drape, festoon, draw |
| country an equal number of both. But in 1820, Maine | | | | back or hang in folds as decoration. Bunting of blue, |
| was admitted as a free state, thus tipping the numbers | | | | white and red - always arranged with the blue above, |
| in favor of the free states. In 1820, our fifth flag | | | | the white in the middle and the red below - should be |
| appeared with 23 stars in the Union. | | | | used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front |
| 6th US Flag in 1822 | | | | of the platform and so on.o The flag should be treated |
| The Missouri Compromise of 1820 would settle the | | | | with respect. Protect it from being easily torn, soiled or |
| question of slaves states versus free for 30 years. No | | | | damaged in any way when fastening, displaying or |
| state would be admitted to the Union as a slave state | | | | storing it.o All parts of the flag should be kept |
| above the line 36°-30' in the new Louisiana | | | | completely free of markings, insignias, letters, words, |
| Purchase. Another tenet of the Compromise was that | | | | figures, designs, pictures or drawings of any nature not |
| Missouri would be admitted as the 24th state and | | | | inherent in its creation.o The flag should not be used as |
| takes its place alongside the slave states. | | | | an informal covering for a ceiling. |
| 7th US Flag in 1836 | | | | What the Flag means A flag, an inanimate object |
| During the last months of President Andrew Jackson's | | | | made of stitched cloth, means as much as people will |
| administration, Arkansas was admitted to the Union as | | | | let it mean to them. Through two centuries of |
| the 25th state. On July 4, 1836, a new flag was flown | | | | American heritage, our national flag has come to stand |
| over the country bearing 25 stars. In the same year, | | | | for the people, the ideas, the government, and national |
| Texas became an independent nation. | | | | honor and glory of the United States. Our flag has |
| 8th US Flag in 1837 | | | | endured through many years of hardship and toil. It is |
| Michigan, since the days of the Revolutionary War, had | | | | known and respected throughout the world. It has |
| been a favorite spot for fur trappers and traders. The | | | | come to be the beacon of democracy, freedom, |
| Erie Canal, recently opened, allowed travelers and | | | | liberty and justice, and it is to this banner the countless |
| pioneers to move from Albany, New York to Lake | | | | millions came from all over the world in their search for |
| Erie. This massive wave of pioneers brought about a | | | | political and religious freedom. Perhaps the modern |
| growth in Michigan that enabled it to be admitted as | | | | American has come to take for granted the proud |
| the 26th state. In addition, Michigan was given the | | | | Stars and Stripes. Perhaps the notion that our flag |
| Upper Peninsula for giving up land claims in Ohio. | | | | means nothing more than mom's apple pie and the |
| 9th US Flag in 1845 | | | | Fourth of July picnic has been allowed to live too long. |
| Florida was admitted to the Union as the 27th state in | | | | Let us not forget that this flag was born of blood and |
| 1845, completed the present Atlantic seaboard of the | | | | has been preserved by blood. This flag is the symbol |
| United States. Florida had been purchased from Spain | | | | of liberty and the cost of liberty is dear indeed. |