Design and Symbolism:
The United States flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, representing the original 13 colonies. The blue field in the upper left corner, known as the canton, features 50 white stars, symbolizing the 50 states.
Origin:
The first official U.S. flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, by a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. This date is now celebrated as Flag Day.
Nicknames:
The U.S. flag is often referred to by nicknames such as “Old Glory” and “The Stars and Stripes.”
Evolution:
The flag has changed over the years to accommodate the addition of new states. The current design with 13 stripes and 50 stars was adopted on July 4, 1960, following the admission of Hawaii as the 50th state.
Flag Folding Tradition:
There is a traditional method of folding the U.S. flag, often performed during ceremonies such as military funerals. The folding ceremony involves 13 folds, each with a symbolic meaning.
Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy. The phrase “under God” was added in 1954.
Respect and Etiquette:
There are specific guidelines for the respectful handling and display of the U.S. flag. For example, it should never touch the ground, and when displayed with other flags, it should be the highest and centermost.
National Anthem Connection:
The lyrics of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” were inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812.
Official Colors:
The official colors of the U.S. flag are “Old Glory Red,” “White,” and “Old Glory Blue,” as defined by the Pantone Matching System.
Half-Staff Position:
The flag is flown at half-staff during times of national mourning or to honor individuals such as fallen heroes. It is raised to the top for an instant before being lowered to the half-staff position.
FACTS ABOUT U.S. STATE FLAGS
| 13 Stars – 1777 to 1795 | 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 Hampshire (June 21, 1788) | |
| Virginia (June 25, 1788) | |
| New York (July 26, 1788) | |
| North Carolina (November 21, 1789) | |
| Rhode Island (May 29, 1790) | |
| 15 stars – 1795 to 1818 | Vermont (March 4, 1791) |
| Kentucky (June 1, 1792) | |
|
20 stars – 1818 to July 3, 1819 |
Tennessee (June 1, 1796) |
| Ohio (March 1, 1803) | |
| Louisiana (April 30, 1812) | |
| Indiana (December 11, 1816) | |
| Mississippi (December 10, 1817) | |
| 21 stars – July 4, 1819 to July 3, 1820 | Illinois (December 3, 1818) |
| 23 stars – July 4, 1820 to July 3, 1822 | Alabama (December 14, 1819) |
| Maine (March 15, 1820) | |
| 24 stars – July 4, 1822 to July 3, 1836 | Missouri (August 10, 1821) |
| 25 stars – July 4, 1836 to July 3, 1837 | Arkansas (June 15, 1836) |
| 26 stars – July 4, 1837 to July 3, 1845 | Michigan (Jan 26, 1837) |
| 27 stars – July 4, 1845 to July 3, 1846 | Florida (March 3, 1845) |
| 28 stars – July 4, 1846 to July 3, 1847 | Texas (December 29, 1845) |
| 29 stars – July 4, 1847 to July 3, 1848 | Iowa (December 28, 1846) |
| 30 stars – July 4, 1848 to July 3, 1851 | Wisconsin (May 29, 1848) |
| 31 stars – July 4, 1851 to July 3, 1858 | California (September 9, 1850) |
| 32 stars – July 4, 1858 to July 3, 1859 | Minnesota (May 11, 1858) |
| 33 stars – July 4, 1859 to July 3, 1861 | Oregon (February 14, 1859) |
| 34 stars – July 4, 1861 to July 3, 1863 | Kansas (January 29, 1861) |
| 35 stars – July 4, 1863 to July 3, 1865 | West Virginia (June 20, 1863) |
| 36 stars – July 4, 1865 to July 3, 1867 | Nevada (October 31, 1864) |
| 37 stars – July 4, 1867 to July 3, 1877 | Nebraska (March 1, 1867) |
| 38 stars – July 4, 1877 to July 3, 1890 | Colorado (August 1, 1876) |
| 43 stars – July 4, 1890 to July 3, 1891 | North Dakota (November 2, 1889) |
| South Dakota (November 2, 1889) | |
| Montana (November 8, 1889) | |
| Washington (November 11, 1889) | |
| Idaho (July 3, 1890) | |
| 44 stars – July 4, 1891 to July 3, 1896 | Wyoming (July 10, 1890) |
| 45 stars – July 4, 1896 to July 3, 1908 | Utah (January 4, 1896) |
| 46 stars – July 4, 1908 to July 3, 1912 | Oklahoma (November 16, 1907) |
| 48 stars – July 4, 1912 to July 3, 1959 | New Mexico (January 6, 1912) |
| Arizona (February 14, 1912) | |
| 49 stars – July 4, 1959 to July 3, 1960 | Alaska (January 3, 1959) |
| 50 stars – July 4, 1960 to present | Hawaii (August 21, 1959) |
Delaware State Flag (December 7, 1787) – 13 Stars:
Delaware’s state flag features a diamond shape with the state coat of arms, which includes a soldier and a farmer supporting a shield.
Pennsylvania State Flag (December 12, 1787) – 13 Stars:
Pennsylvania’s flag showcases the state coat of arms, including a ship, plow, and three sheaves of wheat, symbolizing the state’s commerce and agriculture.
New Jersey State Flag (December 18, 1787) – 13 stars:
New Jersey’s flag displays the state coat of arms with three plows, representing agriculture, and a horse’s head as a nod to the state’s equestrian tradition.
Georgia State Flag (January 2, 1788) – 13 stars:
Georgia’s flag features the state seal centered on a blue background, with pillars representing the Constitution and an arch symbolizing the state’s motto.
Connecticut State Flag (January 9, 1788) – 13 stars:
Connecticut’s flag is a blue banner with the state coat of arms, showcasing three grapevines representing the state’s early settlements.
Massachusetts State Flag (February 6, 1788) – 13 stars:
Massachusetts’ flag displays the state coat of arms with an Algonquin Native American holding a bow and arrow, symbolizing peace.
Maryland State Flag (April 28, 1788) – 13 stars:
Maryland’s flag consists of four alternating quadrants of the Crossland family and Calvert family coats of arms.
South Carolina State Flag (May 23, 1788) – 13 stars:
South Carolina’s flag features the state seal centered on a blue background, representing the palmetto tree and crescent.
New Hampshire State Flag (June 21, 1788) – 13 stars:
New Hampshire’s flag displays the state seal, depicting a granite boulder and rising sun.
Virginia State Flag (June 25, 1788) – 13 stars:
Virginia’s flag showcases the state seal with the motto “Sic Semper Tyrannis,” translating to “Thus Always to Tyrants.”
New York State Flag (July 26, 1788) – 13 stars:
New York’s flag exhibits the state coat of arms with a bald eagle atop a globe, representing the state’s global significance.
North Carolina State Flag (November 21, 1789) – 13 stars:
North Carolina’s flag features the state seal with a depiction of Liberty and Plenty.
Rhode Island State Flag (May 29, 1790) – 13 stars:
Rhode Island’s flag displays an anchor with the word “Hope” underneath, symbolizing the state’s optimism.
Vermont State Flag (March 4, 1791) – 15 stars:
Vermont’s flag showcases the state coat of arms, featuring a pine tree, cow, sheaves of wheat, and a stag.
Kentucky State Flag (June 1, 1792) – 15 stars:
Kentucky’s flag displays the state seal, with a pioneer and a statesman embracing.
Tennessee State Flag (June 1, 1796) – 20 stars:
Tennessee’s flag features three stars representing the state’s three regions and the number of stars when it joined the Union.
Ohio State Flag (March 1, 1803) – 20 stars:
Ohio’s flag displays a circle of 17 stars surrounding the state’s coat of arms.
Louisiana State Flag (April 30, 1812) – 20 stars:
Louisiana’s flag exhibits a mother pelican feeding her three chicks, representing nurturing and sacrifice.
Indiana State Flag (December 11, 1816) – 20 stars:
Indiana’s flag features a torch and a flaming torch with 19 stars representing its order of admission.
Mississippi State Flag (December 10, 1817) – 20 stars:
Mississippi’s flag displays three red and white stripes with a blue canton featuring 20 stars.
Illinois State Flag (December 3, 1818) – 21 stars:
Illinois’ flag showcases the state seal with a bald eagle holding a banner reading “State Sovereignty, National Union.”
Alabama State Flag (December 14, 1819) – 23 stars:
Alabama’s flag features a crimson St. Andrew’s cross on a white field, representing the Confederate battle flag.
Maine State Flag (March 15, 1820) – 23 stars:
Maine’s flag exhibits a state coat of arms with a farmer and seaman supporting a shield.
Missouri State Flag (August 10, 1821) – 24 stars:
Missouri’s flag displays the state coat of arms with a grizzly bear and crescent moon.
Arkansas State Flag (June 15, 1836) – 25 stars:
Arkansas’ flag features a diamond shape with a blue border and 25 white stars.
Michigan State Flag (January 26, 1837) – 26 stars:
Michigan’s flag showcases the state coat of arms with an elk and a moose.
Florida State Flag (March 3, 1845) – 27 stars:
Florida’s flag features a red saltire on a white background, representing the Cross of Burgundy.
Texas State Flag (December 29, 1845) – 28 stars:
Texas’ flag displays a blue vertical stripe with a white star on a horizontal stripe of white and red.
Iowa State Flag (December 28, 1846) – 29 stars:
Iowa’s flag features a vertical tricolor of blue, white, and red, symbolizing the sky, land, and water.
Wisconsin State Flag (May 29, 1848) – 30 stars:
Wisconsin’s flag exhibits the state coat of arms with a badger and a sailor.
California State Flag (September 9, 1850) – 31 stars:
California’s flag features a grizzly bear, symbolizing strength, on a white field.
Minnesota State Flag (May 11, 1858) – 32 stars:
Minnesota’s flag displays the state seal with a farmer and Native American, representing the state’s industry and Native heritage.
Oregon State Flag (February 14, 1859) – 33 stars:
Oregon’s flag showcases a blue field with the state seal featuring a wagon, an ox, and the Pacific Ocean.
Kansas State Flag (January 29, 1861) – 34 stars:
Kansas’ flag features a dark blue field with the state seal and a sunflower, the state flower.
West Virginia State Flag (June 20, 1863) – 35 stars:
West Virginia’s flag exhibits the state coat of arms with a rock, a laurel wreath, and a farmer.
Nevada State Flag (October 31, 1864) – 36 stars:
Nevada’s flag showcases a blue field with the state’s name, a wreath, and stars.
Nebraska State Flag (March 1, 1867) – 37 stars:
Nebraska’s flag displays the state seal with a steamboat on the Missouri River.
Colorado State Flag (August 1, 1876) – 38 stars:
Colorado’s flag features a blue field with a golden disk and a red C, representing the sun and the state.
North Dakota State Flag (November 2, 1889) – 43 stars:
North Dakota’s flag exhibits a blue field with a bald eagle, a sheaf of wheat, and a red scroll.
South Dakota State Flag (November 2, 1889) – 43 stars:
South Dakota’s flag exhibits a sky-blue field with the state seal prominently featured in the center. The seal depicts a picturesque landscape with a river, mountains, and hills.
Montana State Flag (November 8, 1889) – 43 stars:
Montana’s flag features the state seal with a mountainous landscape and a miner’s pick and shovel.
Washington State Flag (November 11, 1889) – 43 stars:
Washington’s flag displays a green field with the state seal featuring a portrait of George Washington.
Idaho State Flag (July 3, 1890) – 43 stars:
Idaho’s flag exhibits a blue field with the state seal, a farmer, and a woman representing liberty.
Wyoming State Flag (July 10, 1890) – 44 stars:
Wyoming’s flag showcases a blue field with the state seal featuring a rancher, a miner, and a female figure.
Utah State Flag (January 4, 1896) – 45 stars:
Utah’s flag features a blue field with the state seal, a beehive, and sego lilies.
Oklahoma State Flag (November 16, 1907) – 46 stars:
Oklahoma’s flag displays a blue field with a buffalo, an Osage shield, and olive branches.
New Mexico State Flag (January 6, 1912) – 47 stars:
New Mexico’s flag features a red field with a yellow symbol of the Zia sun, representing life and harmony.
Arizona State Flag (February 14, 1912) – 48 stars:
Arizona’s flag exhibits a blue field with the state seal, a copper star, and rays representing the sun.
Alaska State Flag (January 3, 1959) – 49 stars:
Alaska’s flag showcases a dark blue field with the Big Dipper and the North Star.
Hawaii State Flag (August 21, 1959) – 50 stars:
Hawaii’s flag features eight alternating horizontal stripes of white, red, and blue, representing the eight main islands.
These state flags, with their unique designs and symbols, represent the diverse history, geography, and culture of each state in the United States.
