Old Glory Evolution Flags

Old Glory -- Born of the need for a more practical design to accommodate new states entering the Union. On April 4, 1818, Congress established the number of stripes at seven red and six white, and provided for the addition of one star for each new state.

The 50-star flag has been in use since July 4, 1960.

On this page are the 27 legal US flags flown throughout our history. By law, a star is added to the US flag on the 4th of July following admission to the Union. Contrary to popular belief, the first official US Flag was not the Betsy Ross Flag but the staggered star pattern shown above.

It is important to note that no US Flag ever becomes obsolete. Each flag shown below is still a legal flag and may be flown at anytime.

Each one of these flags is constructed of SolarMax Nylon, Stars are appliqued and the Stripes are sewn.

States admission to the Union are listed in the individual flag pages.