A Brief History of the Flag of the United States of America.

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed an Act to establish a
flag for the new nation. The resolution ordered that "the flag of the United
States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union
be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

US Flag 1777

While no one knows the exact origin of the first American flag, some
historians believe it was designed by U.S. Congressman Francis Hopkinson
and sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross in 1777.

US Flag 1836

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the
shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars
and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

US Flag 1861

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating
with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars
represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as
well; red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor; White symbolizes Purity and
Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

US Flag 1960-Present