The Evolution of the American Flag

Liberty Tree Flag

Jan 4, 1775

American ships in New England waters flew a "Liberty Tree" flag in 1775. It shows a green pine tree on a white background, with the words, "An Appeal to Heaven."

Don't Tread on Me

Feb 6, 1775

The Continental Navy used this flag, with the warning, "Don't Tread on Me," upon its inception.

Sons of Liberty Flag

Apr 4, 1775

Sons of Liberty flag.

New England Flag

Sep 4, 1775

New England flag.

Forster Flag

Dec 4, 1775

Forster flag.

The Grand Union Flag (Continental Colors

Jan 1, 1776

January 1 — The Grand Union flag (Continental Colors) is displayed on Prospect Hill. It has 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).

First American Flag via Betsy Ross

May 4, 1776

May — Betsy Ross reports that she sewed the first American flag

Another 13-star Flag

Feb 4, 1777

Another 13-star flag, in the 3-2-3-2-3 pattern.

Continental Congress Adopts the first offical flag

Jun 14, 1777

June 14 — Continental Congress adopts the following: 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. Stars represent Delaware (December 7, 1787), Pennsylvania (December 12, 1787), New Jersey (December 18, 1787), Georgia (January 2, 1788), Connecticut (January 9, 1788), Massachusetts (February 6, 1788), Maryland (April 28, 1788), South Carolina (May 23, 1788), New

Cowpen's Flag

Aug 4, 1777

Cowpens Flag. According to some sources, this flag was first used in 1777. It was used by the Third Maryland Regiment. There was no official pattern for how the stars were to be arranged. The flag was carried at the Battle of Cowpens, which took place on January 17, 1781, in South Carolina. The actual flag from that battle hangs in the Maryland State House.

Brandywine Flag

Oct 4, 1777

Brandywine Flag.

15 Stars are added

Jul 4, 1795

Flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes Vermont (March 4, 1791), Kentucky (June 1, 1792)

20 Stars and 13 Stripes

Dec 4, 1818

Flag with 20 stars and 13 stripes (it remains at 13 hereafter) Tennessee (June 1, 1796), Ohio (March 1, 1803), Louisiana (April 30, 1812), Indiana (December 11, 1816), Mississippi (December 10, 1817)

21 Stars

Dec 3, 1819

Flag with 21 stars Illinois (December 3, 1818)

23 Stars

May 18, 1820

Flag with 23 stars Alabama (December 14, 1819), Maine (March 15, 1820) first flag on Pikes Peak

24 Stars

Aug 10, 1821

Flag with 24 stars Missouri (August 10, 1821)

26 Stars

Sep 17, 1837

Flag with 26 stars Arkansas (June 15, 1836) Michigan (Jan 26, 1837)

29 Stars

Aug 7, 1847

Flag with 29 stars Iowa (December 28, 1846) Texas (December 29, 1845) Florida (March 3, 1845)

33 Stars

Dec 4, 1859

Flag with 33 stars Oregon (February 14, 1859) Minnesota (May 11, 1858) California (September 9, 1850) Wisconsin (May 29, 1848)

34 Stars

Jan 29, 1861

Flag with 34 stars; Kansas (January 29, 1861)
Note: Even after the South seceded from the Union, President Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag. • first Confederate Flag (Stars and Bars) adopted in Montgomery, Alabama

37 Stars

Mar 1, 1867

Flag with 37 stars Nebraska (March 1, 1867)

43 Stars

Jul 3, 1890

Flag with 43 stars North Dakota (November 2, 1889), South Dakota (November 2, 1889), Montana (November 8, 1889), Washington (November 11, 1889), Idaho (July 3, 1890)

50 Stars

Aug 21, 1959

Flag with 50 stars Hawaii (August 21, 1959)