The Evolution of the American Flag

by Maria Coffey

The American flag is one of the most recognizable flags in the world. With its trademark white and red stripes and 50 bold stars, it’s hard to imagine it looking any other way.  However, the American flag wasn’t always the stars and stripes we know today. In fact, the U.S. flag has gone through many changes – 26 to be exact – before it became the iconic symbol that it is today.

When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, the flag of the United States was the Grand Union flag, consisting of the familiar red and white stripes with a small Union Jack in the corner, representing the country’s ties with England.  However, the Union Jack would not be a permanent fixture on the flag, and it was only a matter of time before the stars would replace the Union Jack on the flag.

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, which outlined that the official flag of the United States should consist of 13 red and white stripes and 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies.  Flag Day is celebrated today on June 14 in the U.S to commemorate this historic event.  As legend has it, Betsy Ross was approached by George Washington and other members of the Continental Congress to sew a flag to the Flag Resolution’s specifications.  Though it has never been proven, a flag with red and white stripes and thirteen circular stars is known as the Betsy Ross flag to this day.

The American flag went through several more incarnations over the next few years. The number of stripes changed from 15 then back to 13, as it remains today to honor the 13 original colonies.  In 1818, an act was passed to have a star added to the flag each time a state was admitted to the Union.  Today, the American flag flies proudly with 13 stripes and 50 stars.

The American flag has been an inspiration to many, from patriots fighting for the country they love to songwriters looking to express their pride.  From Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner” to George M. Cohan’s “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” the American flag has forever been immortalized in song.  While the flag has gone through many changes throughout the years, it’s hard to imagine it looking any other way than the proud stars and stripes it bears today.

Click here to see American Flag History. Every evolution of the American Flag, complete with the dates that it flew and the states that were added to make that flag!