Brief History of the United States Flag

The flag of the United States of America is a symbol of freedom and unity that has flown for over 200 years. It is a reminder of the brave men and women who have fought for our country and the ideals it represents. The flag has undergone many changes since its inception, but it still stands today as a powerful emblem of our nation.

The first official United States flag was designed by Continental Congress in 1777, and it featured 13 red and white stripes to represent the 13 colonies that had declared independence from Britain. In the center was a blue field with 13 stars, one for each colony. This flag, known as the “Stars and Stripes,” would fly throughout the American Revolution as our troops fought for independence.

In 1795, two new states were admitted to the Union, and the flag was updated to reflect this change. The number of stars and stripes was increased to 15, and they were arranged in a new pattern called the “star-spangled banner.” This flag would fly over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would later become our national anthem.

In 1848, after Mexico ceded California to the United States, another star was added to the flag. And in 1861, two more stars were added for the states of Kansas and West Virginia. But it wasn’t until 1912 that the modern version of the American flag we know today was designed. In that year, President Taft ordered that the number of stars be increased to 48 to reflect the addition of Arizona and New Mexico as states. And in 1959, Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union, bringing the total number of stars on the flag up to 50.

The United States flag is a symbol of our country’s history and values. It has flown through wars and peacetime, been redesigned to reflect our nation’s growth, and inspired patriotism in millions. As we look toward the future, may this cherished emblem continue to wave proudly as a reminder of everything we stand for as Americans.