A visual evolution of the American flag
See how much the American flag has changed
1777—1795
The first flag of the is believed to have been designed by Francis Hopkinson, a congressman from New Jersey and sewn by Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Pennsylvania. The 13 stripes representing the original colonies and the 13 stars representing the original states. While the stripes would always remain the same, the number of stars grew exponentially from here to accommodate new states.
PHOTO: lljones10
1795—1818
Despite joining the union in 1791 and 1792 respectively, and 's statehoods were not celebrated with stars until 1795.
(Image: )
PHOTO: American History
1818—1819
On July 4, 1818, the U.S. flag was updated with a 20-star design to reflect the new statehoods of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
PHOTO: Kean Collection / Staff
1819—1820
America added a 21st star and 58,000 square miles of land when became a state on December 3, 1818.
(Image: )
PHOTO: ZFC
1820—1822
Though you don't typically couple southern Alabama with northern Maine, the 22nd and 23rd states earned their stars on the flag at the very same time.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Bid Square
1822—1836
The first flag to be referred to as "," this version boasts 24 stars on account of Missouri joining the union in 1821.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1836—1837
A 25th star was added when , formerly part of the Louisiana territory, achieved statehood in 1836.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1837—1845
When became a state in 1837, a 26th star was added to the flag.
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1845—1846
Hot on Michigan's heels, , "The Sunshine State" joined the United States and its flag in 1845.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1846—1847
After taking nearly a decade off from expansion, the United States added a 28th state, .
(Image: )
PHOTO: 1st Dibs
1847—1848
The 29th state of the union, Iowa, joined up on December 28th, 1846. Unsurprisingly, the state had to wait until 1847 to see itself represented on the flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1848—1851
The United States granted its statehood on May 29, 1848, making it the 30th.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1851—1858
On September 9, 1850, received its statehood. "The Golden State" would be America's western-expanding 31st.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1858—1859
In 1858, America expanded north by adding to the union. The 32nd state wouldn't have to wait long to lose its "new guy" status in the sea of stars that marks the upper-left corner of the American flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1859—1861
After being mapped by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition, became the 33rd United State.
(Image:
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1861—1863
On January 29, 1861, with the Civil War seeming all but inevitable, the United States welcomed the "Sunflower State," Kansas.
(Image:
PHOTO: Smithsonian Institute
1863—1865
When Virginia decided to secede from the United States during the Civil War, the western part of the state opted to become their own state, . They became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1865—1867
The "", Nevada, became America's 36th state on October 21, 1864.
PHOTO: Fine Art
1867—1877
Two years after the end of the Civil War, the 37th state, , was granted its statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1877—1890
Colorado joined the union as the 37th state in 1876. For 13 years, it would remain the newest addition to the USA.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1890—1891
After over a decade of going along with the status quo, the United States added states 39 to 43: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1891—1896
became the 44th state to join the union in 1890, creating another new challenge for American flag designers.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1896—1908
The 45h member of the union, saw its star go on the American flag exactly 7 months after it was granted statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1908—1912
On November 16, 1907, became the 46th member of the United States. Though it would still see some more changes, this 46-star version of the American flag was beginning to look like the one we see today.
(Images: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1912—1959
New Mexico was the to join the union on January 6, 1912. Arizona, which was once a part of New Mexico, , the 48th, on February 14, 1912.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1959—1960
In 1959, President Eisenhower a proclamation making Alaska the 49th and largest state in the U.S.
(Image: )
PHOTO: War Relics
1960‱Գ
With the addition of Hawaii, America welcomed its fiftieth state. This iteration of the Stars and Stripes is the longest-running design in the flag's history.
PHOTO: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock
1777—1795
The first flag of the is believed to have been designed by Francis Hopkinson, a congressman from New Jersey and sewn by Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Pennsylvania. The 13 stripes representing the original colonies and the 13 stars representing the original states. While the stripes would always remain the same, the number of stars grew exponentially from here to accommodate new states.
PHOTO: lljones10
1795—1818
Despite joining the union in 1791 and 1792 respectively, and 's statehoods were not celebrated with stars until 1795.
(Image: )
PHOTO: American History
1818—1819
On July 4, 1818, the U.S. flag was updated with a 20-star design to reflect the new statehoods of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
PHOTO: Kean Collection / Staff
1819—1820
America added a 21st star and 58,000 square miles of land when became a state on December 3, 1818.
(Image: )
PHOTO: ZFC
1820—1822
Though you don't typically couple southern Alabama with northern Maine, the 22nd and 23rd states earned their stars on the flag at the very same time.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Bid Square
1822—1836
The first flag to be referred to as "," this version boasts 24 stars on account of Missouri joining the union in 1821.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1836—1837
A 25th star was added when , formerly part of the Louisiana territory, achieved statehood in 1836.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1837—1845
When became a state in 1837, a 26th star was added to the flag.
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1845—1846
Hot on Michigan's heels, , "The Sunshine State" joined the United States and its flag in 1845.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1846—1847
After taking nearly a decade off from expansion, the United States added a 28th state, .
(Image: )
PHOTO: 1st Dibs
1847—1848
The 29th state of the union, Iowa, joined up on December 28th, 1846. Unsurprisingly, the state had to wait until 1847 to see itself represented on the flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1848—1851
The United States granted its statehood on May 29, 1848, making it the 30th.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1851—1858
On September 9, 1850, received its statehood. "The Golden State" would be America's western-expanding 31st.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1858—1859
In 1858, America expanded north by adding to the union. The 32nd state wouldn't have to wait long to lose its "new guy" status in the sea of stars that marks the upper-left corner of the American flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1859—1861
After being mapped by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition, became the 33rd United State.
(Image:
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1861—1863
On January 29, 1861, with the Civil War seeming all but inevitable, the United States welcomed the "Sunflower State," Kansas.
(Image:
PHOTO: Smithsonian Institute
1863—1865
When Virginia decided to secede from the United States during the Civil War, the western part of the state opted to become their own state, . They became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1865—1867
The "", Nevada, became America's 36th state on October 21, 1864.
PHOTO: Fine Art
1867—1877
Two years after the end of the Civil War, the 37th state, , was granted its statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1877—1890
Colorado joined the union as the 37th state in 1876. For 13 years, it would remain the newest addition to the USA.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1890—1891
After over a decade of going along with the status quo, the United States added states 39 to 43: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1891—1896
became the 44th state to join the union in 1890, creating another new challenge for American flag designers.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1896—1908
The 45h member of the union, saw its star go on the American flag exactly 7 months after it was granted statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1908—1912
On November 16, 1907, became the 46th member of the United States. Though it would still see some more changes, this 46-star version of the American flag was beginning to look like the one we see today.
(Images: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1912—1959
New Mexico was the to join the union on January 6, 1912. Arizona, which was once a part of New Mexico, , the 48th, on February 14, 1912.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1959—1960
In 1959, President Eisenhower a proclamation making Alaska the 49th and largest state in the U.S.
(Image: )
PHOTO: War Relics
1960‱Գ
With the addition of Hawaii, America welcomed its fiftieth state. This iteration of the Stars and Stripes is the longest-running design in the flag's history.
PHOTO: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock
1777—1795
The first flag of the is believed to have been designed by Francis Hopkinson, a congressman from New Jersey and sewn by Betsy Ross, a seamstress from Pennsylvania. The 13 stripes representing the original colonies and the 13 stars representing the original states. While the stripes would always remain the same, the number of stars grew exponentially from here to accommodate new states.
PHOTO: lljones10
1795—1818
Despite joining the union in 1791 and 1792 respectively, and 's statehoods were not celebrated with stars until 1795.
(Image: )
PHOTO: American History
1818—1819
On July 4, 1818, the U.S. flag was updated with a 20-star design to reflect the new statehoods of Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee.
PHOTO: Kean Collection / Staff
1819—1820
America added a 21st star and 58,000 square miles of land when became a state on December 3, 1818.
(Image: )
PHOTO: ZFC
1820—1822
Though you don't typically couple southern Alabama with northern Maine, the 22nd and 23rd states earned their stars on the flag at the very same time.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Bid Square
1822—1836
The first flag to be referred to as "," this version boasts 24 stars on account of Missouri joining the union in 1821.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1836—1837
A 25th star was added when , formerly part of the Louisiana territory, achieved statehood in 1836.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1837—1845
When became a state in 1837, a 26th star was added to the flag.
PHOTO: Flag Collection
1845—1846
Hot on Michigan's heels, , "The Sunshine State" joined the United States and its flag in 1845.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Heritage Auctions
1846—1847
After taking nearly a decade off from expansion, the United States added a 28th state, .
(Image: )
PHOTO: 1st Dibs
1847—1848
The 29th state of the union, Iowa, joined up on December 28th, 1846. Unsurprisingly, the state had to wait until 1847 to see itself represented on the flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1848—1851
The United States granted its statehood on May 29, 1848, making it the 30th.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1851—1858
On September 9, 1850, received its statehood. "The Golden State" would be America's western-expanding 31st.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1858—1859
In 1858, America expanded north by adding to the union. The 32nd state wouldn't have to wait long to lose its "new guy" status in the sea of stars that marks the upper-left corner of the American flag.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1859—1861
After being mapped by Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition, became the 33rd United State.
(Image:
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1861—1863
On January 29, 1861, with the Civil War seeming all but inevitable, the United States welcomed the "Sunflower State," Kansas.
(Image:
PHOTO: Smithsonian Institute
1863—1865
When Virginia decided to secede from the United States during the Civil War, the western part of the state opted to become their own state, . They became the 35th state on June 20, 1863.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1865—1867
The "", Nevada, became America's 36th state on October 21, 1864.
PHOTO: Fine Art
1867—1877
Two years after the end of the Civil War, the 37th state, , was granted its statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1877—1890
Colorado joined the union as the 37th state in 1876. For 13 years, it would remain the newest addition to the USA.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1890—1891
After over a decade of going along with the status quo, the United States added states 39 to 43: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Washington.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1891—1896
became the 44th state to join the union in 1890, creating another new challenge for American flag designers.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1896—1908
The 45h member of the union, saw its star go on the American flag exactly 7 months after it was granted statehood.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1908—1912
On November 16, 1907, became the 46th member of the United States. Though it would still see some more changes, this 46-star version of the American flag was beginning to look like the one we see today.
(Images: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1912—1959
New Mexico was the to join the union on January 6, 1912. Arizona, which was once a part of New Mexico, , the 48th, on February 14, 1912.
(Image: )
PHOTO: Rare Flags
1959—1960
In 1959, President Eisenhower a proclamation making Alaska the 49th and largest state in the U.S.
(Image: )
PHOTO: War Relics
1960‱Գ
With the addition of Hawaii, America welcomed its fiftieth state. This iteration of the Stars and Stripes is the longest-running design in the flag's history.
PHOTO: H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock
See how much the American flag has changed
Red, white and blue flags studded with 50 stars and 13 stripes fly all over the United States of America but that hasn't always been the case. In its over 240 years of existence, "Old Glory" has had many different iterations and its changes reflect a growing nation.
So, let's take a look at the evolution of the Stars and Stripes through the years.