The United States of America

"Old Glory"

The United States flag, commonly called “The Stars and Stripes.” “Star Spangled Banner,” or “Old Glory” is one of the most recognisable flags in the world, consisting of 50 small white stars on a blue field in the top left corner of the flag. The rest of the flag consists of 13 alternating red and white stripes. Te 50 stars represent the 50 states that currently make up the United States of America, and the 13 red and white stripes pay homage to the original 13 states that formed the USA upon the nations independence.

The current flag was adopted in 1959 once the states of Alaska and Hawaii where formally admitted into the Union. The design was part of a student project submitted to President Dwight D. Eisenhower by  Robert G. Heft. However, before its adoption, his project only was awarded a B-! However, once the project was accepted as the new design for the flag, he was upgraded to an A!

The first flag of the USA, commonly referred to as the “Grand Union Flag” consisted of  13 red and white stripes, but rather than having white stars on a blue field, it had the earlier Union Jack. Without the addition of the Irish cross of St Patrick.

In 1777, on June 14, at the Second Continental Congress, a new design was adopted. The stripes remained, however, the Union Jack was replaced with a circle of 13 white stars on a blue field. There are many stories and legends tied to the birth of this flag, the most wide-spread being that Betsy Ross made it, after being handed a pencil sketch from George Washington. However, the authenticity of this story is under a cloud of doubt.

In 1795, the number of stars and stripes was increased from 13 to 15, to represent the introduction of Vermont and Kentucky into the union. It was this flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen “Star Spangled Banner.” The song which then became the national anthem for the nation. No more stars or stripes where added, despite more states being added. They felt that to add more, would make the flag look “cluttered.”

On April 4, 181, upon the suggestion of the Naval Captain, Samuel C. Reid, a plan was passed by Congress. This plan saw the number of stars increased to 20, and then instituted the idea that as and when any new state should be admitted, a new star would be placed on the flag. Also, the plan reduced the number of stripes back down to 13 to honour the original colonies.

Since then, the number of stars has slowly increased as more states where admitted to the Union. Finally arriving at 50 with the admittance of Hawaii back in 1960.