The Adoption of the First Flag

On June 14, 1777 in the city of Philadelphia, this resolution was adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress: "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation. "

The Betsy Ross Flag

Though Betsy Ross is most often credited as the creator of the first flag, many people designed flags during that time and there is no direct evidence that flag is the creation of Betsy Ross. Even so, the flag is bestowed the title, "The Betsy Ross." This flag was flown for the very first time in June 1777 and has the 13 stars and 13 stripes mentioned in the historical resolution.

15 Stars and Stripes

The states of Vermont and Kentucky became part of the union in 1795, and the flag was changed to 15 stars and 15 stripes. This flag was the official flag until 1818, and inspired Francis Scott Key as he wrote, "The Star-Spangled Banner."

20 Stars, 13 Stripes

The addition of stars and stripes every time a new state was added became a bit cumbersome, so Congress decided that the flag should stay at 13 stripes, and decreed that a new star be added with every new state. President Monroe signed this bill into law on April 4, 1818, and a flag with 20 stars was created.

The Flag Today

A new flag was created on July 4th of the year following each new state's arrival into the union. There were 25 flags created between 1819 and 1960. The official flag of the United States today has 50 stars and was created in 1960 after Hawaii gained statehood in August of 1959.

Specifications

The consistency of size and color is important for manufacturers of American flags.
Executive order determines the size of the flag, the width of the stripes, the diameter of the stars and their placement, and the exact dye colors used.