The United States has dozens of official flags. In addition to the American flag, it has the presidential flag. Also known as the presidential standard, it lives up to its namesake by symbolizing the President of the United States. You can find the U.S. presidential flag displayed in the White House. When the U.S. President performs press conferences or makes official visits to other countries, it’s often displayed. To learn more about the U.S. presidential flag and what it means, keep reading.
#1) Features the Presidential Seal
The U.S. presidential flag features the presidential seal. It’s designed with a star-encircled eagle that’s holding a set of arrows and an olive branch. Directly above the eagle is the Latin phrase “e Pluribus Unum,” white translates to “out of many, one.” There are no stripes on the U.S. presidential flag. The modern-day design consists entirely of the aforementioned seal against a blue background.
#2) Originated in the 1800s
Origins of the U.S. presidential flag can be traced back to the 1800s. In the years leading up to the Flag Act of 1818, lawmakers begin discussing designs for an official American flag. This, of course, led to the American flag. At the same time, though, they discussed a U.S. presidential flag. Lawmakers wanted a separate flag to symbolize the Presidential of the United States.
#3) First Proposed Design Featured Four Tiles
The first proposed design for the U.S. presidential flag didn’t have the same seal as the modern-day design. Rather, it featured four unique tiles. The tile in the top-left corner depicted five rows of stars. the tile in the top-right corner depicted an eagle holding a set of arrows and an olive branch. The tile in the bottom-left corner depicted Lady Liberty. And the tile in the bottom-right corner depicted 13 horizontal stripes. While this design was proposed for the U.S. presidential flag, it wasn’t used.
#4) Current Design Adopted By President Truman
The current design was adopted by President Truman. In 1945, President Truman signed a bill recognizing a new design for the U.S. presidential flag. Since then, the U.S. presidential flag hasn’t changed.
#5) Illegal to Reproduce
While the American flag can be reproduced and sold, the U.S. presidential flag can not. It’s considered illegal to reproduce the U.S. presidential flag because it contains the official Seal of the President. Therefore, you typically won’t be able to purchase it. You can still buy the American flag, but you can’t buy the U.S. presidential flag.
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About the author
Barry Mason is a proud third-generation American whose grandfather served in World War II. Born and raised in small-town Tennessee, Barry developed a deep appreciation for American history and traditions from an early age, learning about the sacrifices made by previous generations. Barry has spent over a decade writing about flag etiquette, patriotic traditions, military history, and the stories behind America's most cherished symbols. When he's not researching the fascinating history of Old Glory, you can find Barry volunteering at veterans' events, coaching youth baseball, or exploring America's national parks with his family. A firm believer in supporting American manufacturing and small businesses, Barry is passionate about celebrating the craftspeople who keep American traditions alive. He lives with his wife and two children in a home where the American flag flies proudly every day. Favorite quote: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." - Ronald Reagan
