A 2.00m x 1.70m oil painting showing historical U.S. flags..
This article describes the evolution of the flag of the United States of America, as well as other flags used within the country, such as the flags of governmental agencies. There are also separate flags for embassies and boats.
National flag
Historical progression of designs
Since 1818, a star for each new state has been added to the flag on the Fourth of July immediately following each state's admission. In years which multiple states were admitted, the number of stars on the flag jumped correspondingly; the most pronounced example of this is 1890, when five states were admitted within the span of a single year (North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington in November 1889 and Idaho on July 3, 1890). This change has typically been the only change made with each revision of the flag since 1777, with the exception of changes in 1795 and 1818, which increased the number of stripes to 15 and then returned it to 13, respectively.
As the exact pattern of stars was not specified prior to 1912, and the exact colors not specified prior to 1934, many of the historical U.S. national flags shown below are typical rather than official designs.
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 1777–1795 |
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| 1818–1819 |
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| 1819–1820 |
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| 1820–1822 |
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| 1822–1836 |
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| 1836–1837 |
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| 1837–1845 |
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| 1845–1846 |
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| 1846–1847 |
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| 1847–1848 |
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| 1848–1851 |
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| 1851–1858 |
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| 1858–1859 |
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| 1859–1861 |
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| 1861–1863 |
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| 1863–1865 |
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| 1865–1867 |
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| 1867–1877 |
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| 1877–1890 |
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| 1890–1891 |
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| 1891–1896 |
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| 1896–1908 |
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| 1908–1912 |
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| 1912–1959 |
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| 1959 |
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 1959–present |
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Other historical versions
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| 1777-1795 (the "Hopkinson Flag") |
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Possible future designs
With the addition of states, the US flag increases the number of stars. examples of possible designs for US flags with up to 5 additional states are displayed here.
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 flag design displaying 51 stars |
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| flag design displaying 51 stars |
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| flag design displaying 52 stars |
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| flag design displaying 52 stars |
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| flag design displaying 53 stars |
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| flag design displaying 54 stars |
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| flag design displaying 55 stars |
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Executive branch flags
Office of the President
Office of the Vice President
Department of State
Department of the Treasury
Department of Defense
Department of Justice
Department of the Interior
Department of Agriculture
Department of Commerce
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| Flag of the General Counsel of the Department of Commerce |
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| Flag of the Head of a Department of Commerce Primary Operating Unit |
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Department of Labor
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Transportation
Department of Energy
Department of Education
Department of Veterans Affairs
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| Flag of the Director of the National Cemetery System |
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| Flag of an Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs |
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Department of Homeland Security
Other federal flags
Many agencies, departments, and offices of the U.S. federal government have their own flags, guidons, or standards. Following traditional American vexillology, these usually consist of the agency's departmental seal on a blank opaque background, but not always.
Uniformed services flags
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
NOAA Officer Corps
State flags
Territorial and commonwealth flags
Uninhabited territory flags
The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the United States Minor Outlying Islands. However, unofficial flags are in use on five of these nine insular areas:
Associated state flags
While the countries mentioned are recognized independent nations with UN seats, the U.S. maintains and exercises jurisdictional control over the countries in defense, security, and funding grants.
County flags
Municipal organizations
City flags
Municipal organizations
Maritime flags
Ensigns
National
Since 1777, the national ensign of the United States has also simultaneously served as its national flag. The current version is shown below; for previous versions, please see the section Historical progression of designs above.
State
Other
Jacks
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| Union Jack (state jack, 2002–present; naval and state jack, 1960–2002) |
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Native American tribal flags
Historical flags
American Revolutionary War
Former federal flags
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| Flag of the Under Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare |
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| Flag of the Assistant Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare |
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| Boat flag (1912-1916) |
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Other states
See also
References
External links
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Names in italics indicate non-sovereign (dependent) territories, disputed states and/or former countries. |
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