The Evolution of Old Glory

      By law, a star is added to the U.S.A. Flag on the Fourth of July following the admission of the state or states bringing about these changes. No star is identified with a specific State, and there is no law designating the permanent arrangement of the stars. However, since 1912, whenever a new State has been added, the new design has been announced by Presidential order. Below we have listed the dates these flags were "Official" and which States were added representing the new stars. No flag ever becomes obsolete, each is still a legal flag and is entitled to the same respect shown the current flag.

         

       Original 13 Stars
      1775-1795

      AKA "1st Navy Stars & Stripes"
      Most people believe that the Betsy Ross was the first design, but the first documented U.S.A. flag was the staggered star pattern. This flag was first flown by Captain John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger. On April 24,1778 John Paul Jones, in command of the Ranger, became the first American officer to have the American flag recognized by a foreign power.
      The original 13 states: CT, DE, GA, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $39.95 35NY13ST
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $45.95 46NY13ST
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $64.95 58NY13ST
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $205.00 610NY13ST
      15 Stars
      1795-1818

      KY, VT. 
      AKA "Star-Spangled Banner"

      This flag was flying above Ft. McHenry at Baltimore when the British attacked on September 13, 1814. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer from Washington had gone aboard a British ship seeking the release of a friend held prisoner. He was detained throughout the night. The sight of the American flag still flying over the fortress the next morning inspired Key to write what, in 1931, became our National Anthem. The original Fort McHenry flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. This design, born with the Second Flag Act on January 13,1794, is our only official flag ever to have more than thirteen stripes.
      2' x 3'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $39.00 23NY15STS
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $44.95 35NY15STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $49.95 46NY15STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $65.95 58NY15STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $169.95 610NY15STS
      20 Stars
      1818-1819
      IN, LA, MS, OH, TN.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $48.95 35NY20STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $52.95 46NY20STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $73.95 58NY20STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $134.95 610NY20STS
      21 Stars
      1819-1820
      IL.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $52.95 35NY21STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $57.95 46NY21STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $78.95 58NY21STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $145.95 610NY21STS
      23 Stars
      1820-1822
      AL, ME.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $55.95 35NY23STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $59.95 46NY23STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $82.95 58NY23STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $152.95 610NY23STS
      24 Stars
      1822-1836
      MO.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $57.95 35NY24STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $62.95 46NY24STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $84.95 58NY24STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $153.95 610NY24STS
      25 Stars
      1836-1837
      AR.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $58.95 35NY25STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $63.95 46NY25STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $86.95 58NY25STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $156.95 610NY25STS
      26 Stars
      1837-1845
      MI.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $59.95 35NY26STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $65.95 46NY26STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $88.95 58NY26STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $159.95 610NY26STS
      27 Stars
      1845-1846
      FL.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $62.95 35NY27STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $65.95 46NY27STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $89.95 58NY27STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $163.95 610NY27STS
      28 stars
      1846-1847
      TX.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $63.95 35NY28STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $68.95 46NY28STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $92.95 58NY28STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $166.95 610NY28STS
      29 Stars
      1847-1848
      IA.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $65.95 35NY29STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $69.95 46NY29STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $94.95 58NY29STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $169.95 610NY29STS
      30 Stars
      1848-1851
      WI.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $66.95 35NY30STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $71.95 46NY30STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $94.95 58NY30STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $171.95 610NY30STS
      31 Stars
      1851-1858
      CA.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $68.95 35NY31STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $73.95 46NY31STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $97.95 58NY31STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $174.95 610NY31STS
      32 Stars
      1858-1859
      MN.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $69.95 35NY32STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $74.95 46NY32STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $98.95 58NY32STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $178.95 610NY32STS
      33 Stars
      Begin Union Civil War
      1859-1861

      OR.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $71.95 35NY33STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $75.95 46NY33STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $99.95 58NY33STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $180.95 610NY33STS
       34 Stars
      Union Civil War
      1861-1863

      KS.
      On February 22, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, the President-elect, went to Philadelphia to attend a flag raising ceremony. The Nation was in a state of crisis. Seven Southern States were preparing to secede from the Union, and threats had been made on Mr. Lincoln's life. Mr. Lincoln raised a large 34 star flag over Independence Hall. Raising the American flag on this day, George Washington's birthday, over the building in which Americans had declared their independence from England, was a courageous act of faith. It was a bold statement to the Nation and the world that the nation created four score and five years earlier would be preserved.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes 
      $72.95 35NY34STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $77.95 46NY34STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $102.95 58NY34STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $183.95 610NY34STS
      35 Stars
       Union Civil War End
      1863-1865

      WV.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes 
      $74.95 35NY35STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $79.95 46NY35STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $105.95 58NY35STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $186.95 610NY35STS
       36 Stars
      1865-1867
      NV.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $75.95 35NY36STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $79.95 46NY36STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $107.95 58NY36STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $189.95 610NY36STS
      37 Stars
      1867-1877
      AKA "Promontory Utah"

      NE.
      On May 10, 1869 two locomotives, the Juniper and the 119, moved slowly toward each other under this flag and the continent was linked from East to West by the railroad.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes 
      $77.95 35NY37STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $82.95 46NY37STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $109.95 58NY37STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $193.95 610NY37STS
      38 Stars
      1877-1890
      CO.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $79.95 35NY38STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $84.95 46NY38STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $109.95 58NY38STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $196.95 610NY38STS
      43 Stars
      1890-1891
      ID, MT, ND, SD, WA.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $87.95 35NY43STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $91.95 46NY43STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $121.95 58NY43STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $207.95 610NY43STS
      44 Stars
      1891-1896
      WY.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $88.95 35NY44STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $93.95 46NY44STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $123.95 58NY44STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $213.95 610NY44STS
      45 Stars
      1896-1908
      UT.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $89.95 35NY45STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $94.95 46NY45STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $125.95 58NY45STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $217.95 610NY45STS
      46 Stars
      1908-1912
      OK.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $91.95 35NY46STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $96.95 46NY46STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $127.95 58NY46STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $220.95 610NY46STS
      48 Stars
      1912-1959
      AKA "Iwo Jima"

      AZ, NM.
      No single incident better reflects the resolute courage and valor of those who fought and died that we might be free than the raising of the 48 star flag over Mount Suribachi. This dramatic scene occurred on Iwo Jima, one of the volcano islands south of Japan, captured by American forces early in 1945. 
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $94.95 35NY48STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $99.95 46NY48STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $129.95 58NY48STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $225.95 610NY48STS
      49 Stars
      1959-1960
      AK.
      3' x 5'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $96.95 35NY49STS
      4' x 6'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $101.95 46NY49STS
      5' x 8'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $131.95 58NY49STS
      6' x 10'
      Appliqué Stars Sewn Stripes
      $229.95 610NY49STS
      1960-present
      HI. 50 Stars
      .... .... See our Outdoor American Flags section.

      The "Star-Spangled Banner" was flying above FT. McHenry at Baltimore when the British attacked on September 13, 1814. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer from Washington had gone aboard a British ship seeking the release of a friend held prisoner. He was detained throughout the night. The sight of the American flag still flying over the fortress the next morning inspired Key to write what, in 1931, became our National Anthem. The original FT. McHenry flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. This design, born with the second flag act on January 13, 1794, is our only official flag ever to have more than thirteen stripes. 3' x 5' Nylon flag, with printed stars, and sewn stripes. $45.00 35NY15STP
      Union Civil War
      Ft. Sumter Flag
      1859-1861

       33 Stars
       
      3' x 5' Nylon flag, with printed stars, and stripes. $39.95 E060582
      Union Civil War
      (represented the North)
      1861-1863

      KS. 34 Stars
      On February 22, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, the President-elect, went to Philadelphia to attend a flag raising ceremony. The Nation was in a state of crisis. Seven Southern States were preparing to secede from the Union, and threats had been made on Mr. Lincoln's life. Mr. Lincoln raised a large 34 star flag over Independence Hall. Raising the American flag on this day, George Washington's birthday, over the building in which Americans had declared their independence from England, was a courageous act of faith. It was a bold statement to the Nation and the world that the nation created four score and five years earlier would be preserved.
      3' x 5' Nylon flag, with printed stars, and sewn stripes. $45.00 35NY34STP
      1912-1959
      AKA "Iwo Jima"

      AZ, NM. 48 Stars
      No single incident better reflects the resolute courage and valor of those who fought and died that we might be free than the raising of the 48 star flag over Mount Suribachi. This dramatic scene occurred on Iwo Jima, one of the volcano islands south of Japan, captured by American forces early in 1945. 
      3' x 5' Nylon flag, with printed stars, and sewn stripes. $45.00 35NY48STP

      1775-1795 Original 13 Stars
      AKA "1st Navy Stars & Stripes"

      Most people believe that the Betsy Ross was the first design, but the first documented U.S.A. flag was the staggered star pattern. This flag was first flown by Captain John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger. On April 24,1778 John Paul Jones, in command of the Ranger, became the first American officer to have the American flag recognized by a foreign power.
      The original 13 states: CT, DE, GA, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, RI, SC, VA.
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S13ST
      1818-1819
      IN, LA, MS, OH, TN. 20 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S20ST
      1819-1820
      IL. 21 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S21ST
      1822-1836
      MO. 24 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S24ST
      Union Civil War (represented the North)
      1859-1861

      OR. 33 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S33ST
      Union Civil War (represented the North)
      1861-1863

      KS. 34 Stars
      On February 22, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, the President-elect, went to Philadelphia to attend a flag raising ceremony. The Nation was in a state of crisis. Seven Southern States were preparing to secede from the Union, and threats had been made on Mr. Lincoln's life. Mr. Lincoln raised a large 34 star flag over Independence Hall. Raising the American flag on this day, George Washington's birthday, over the building in which Americans had declared their independence from England, was a courageous act of faith. It was a bold statement to the Nation and the world that the nation created four score and five years earlier would be preserved.
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S34ST
      Union Civil War (represented the North)
      1863-1865

      WV. 35 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S35ST
      1865-1867
      NV. 36 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S36ST
      1867-1877
      AKA "Promontory Utah"

      NE. 37 Stars
      On May 10, 1869 two locomotives, the Juniper and the 119, moved slowly toward each other under this flag and the continent was linked from East to West by the railroad.
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S37ST
      1877-1890
      CO. 38 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S38ST
      1912-1959
      AKA "Iwo Jima"

      AZ, NM. 48 Stars
      No single incident better reflects the resolute courage and valor of those who fought and died that we might be free than the raising of the 48 star flag over Mount Suribachi. This dramatic scene occurred on Iwo Jima, one of the volcano islands south of Japan, captured by American forces early in 1945. 
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S48ST
      1959-1960
      AK. 49 Stars
      4" x 6" rayon flag, mounted on 10" staff. $2.50 ea. 46S49ST
      1960-present
      HI. 50 Stars
      .... .... See our Outdoor American Flags section.




       Click here to see our 50 star flags. American Flag Page!


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