A Brief History Of The American Flag

The American Flag: A Symbol of History and Patriotism

A Brief History of the American Flag

The Stars and Stripes

The American flag, often referred to as the Stars and Stripes, has undergone several transformations throughout its history. The current design, consisting of 50 white stars arranged in nine equal horizontal rows on a blue canton, and 13 alternating red and white horizontal stripes, was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state.

The original American flag, known as the Continental Colors, was created in 1777 and featured 13 stripes, representing the 13 original colonies. In 1795, after the admission of Kentucky and Tennessee as states, Congress added two more stripes to the flag, bringing the total to 15. In 1818, Congress passed a law specifying that the flag should remain at 13 stripes, with a new star added for each new state admitted to the Union.

The Blue Canton

The blue canton, or field, on the American flag represents the Union. The white stars symbolize the 50 states of the United States. The number of stars has changed over time, as new states have been added to the Union. The last star was added in 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.

The Meaning of the Colors

The colors of the American flag have various meanings. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white represents purity and innocence, and blue signifies justice and perseverance. The combination of these colors creates a powerful and iconic symbol of the United States.