History of the American Flag

First American Flag

Jan 1, 1776

George Washington ordered the Grand Union flag to be hung over base. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner.

Besty Ross

May 29, 1776

Besty Ross sewed the first American Flag

First Flag Act was passed

Jun 14, 1777

First Flag Act was passed "Resolved: the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; white in blue field, representing a new constellation"

Act of January 13, 1794

Jan 13, 1794

Provided for 15 stripes and stars after May 1795

Act of April 4, 1818

Apr 4, 1818

provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state to be added on the 4th of July following admission of each new state

Executive Order of President Taft

Jun 24, 1912

Established proportions of the flag and stars arranged in six horizontal rows, eight in each

Executive Order of President Eisenhower

Jan 3, 1959

provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each

Exceutive Order of President Eisenhower

Aug 21, 1959

provided for an arrangement of the stars of nine rows of stars staggered hortizonally and eleven rows of stars vertically

American Flag Today

Oct 30, 2012

The flag as we see it today in 2012. Thirteen stripes repersenting the 13 colonies and 50 stars, for the fifty states.