When most people think of the American flag, they envision its current design consisting of 50 horizontal stripes in alternating red and white colors and a blue field in the upper-left corner containing 50 white stars. The American flag, however, has been around for over two centuries. During that time, numerous changes were made to the design.
The Original Design
The American’s flag original design was similar to that of the current design. It featured horizontal stripes in alternating red and white colors, and it features a blue field with white stars in the top-left corner. Colloquially known as the Stars and Stripes, it was adopted on June 14, 1777. The Continental Congress approved the design, thus establishing the country’s first official flag.
But the Stars and Stripes didn’t feature the exact same design as the current American flag. The blue field only featured 13 stars, which were arranged in a circular shape to mimic the appearance of a constellation.
Changed 26 Times
How many times has the American flag been changed exactly? When dating all the way back to the original design adopted on June 14, 1777, the American flag has been changed 26 times.
Most of the changes made to the American flag involved the addition of stars. The current design, as you may know, features 50 stars. Each star represents one of the country’s states. There were originally only 13 states in the country, which is why the American flag’s original design featured 13 stars.
Over time, though, new states were added. This prompted the need for a new American flag design. As new states were added to the country, the American flag’s design was changed to include a new star.
The Current Design
The current design, of course, was adopted on July 4, 1960. Prior to this period, the American flag only had 49 stars. Lawmakers in the United States revised the American flag by adding another star to it. The new star represented Hawaii. Hawaii became a state on Aug. 21, 1959. The American flag was revised shortly thereafter to include a star for Hawaii.
With origins dating back to 1960, the current design is the longest-running design for the American flag. Other designs were typically only used for a few years, after which they were replaced with a new design. But the current design of the American flag has been used for 62 years, making it the longest-running design.
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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
