Evolution of the U.S. Flag: 1777 to Today

The American flag has changed 27 times—each star a state, each stripe a founding colony.

1. 1777 (Betsy Ross / First Flag Act): 13 stars in a circle, 13 stripes.
2. 1777–1795 (Grand Union / Continental Colors): British Union Jack in canton + 13 stripes (transitional).
3. 1777 (Bennington Flag variant): 13 stars in 13 circles; 13 stripes.
4. 1777–1795 (Francis Hopkinson design): 13 stars in staggered rows (3-2-3-2-3), outlined.
5. 1795–1818 (15-Star, 15-Stripe): Vermont, Kentucky added. "Star-Spangled Banner" (Fort McHenry, 1814).
6. 1818 (Flag Act): Stripes fixed at 13; stars = states. Added 5 stars (TN, OH, LA, IN, MS) → 20 stars.
7. 1819–1912: Stars added with each state (21→48). 48-star flag (1912–1959) added NM, AZ.
8. 1959 (49 stars): Alaska admitted (Jan 3).
9. July 4, 1960 (50 stars): Hawaii admitted (Aug 1959); current flag.

Design: 13 horizontal stripes (7 red, 6 white); blue canton with 50 white stars in 9 offset rows (6-5-6-5-6-5-6-5-6). The only element that changes: the star count.