The American flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. You see it on front porches, in town squares, at military ceremonies, and waving in the stands at football games. The Stars and Stripes has been a symbol for unity, freedom, and resilience for 250 years.
But the story behind the American flag is more interesting than most people realize. The flag has changed a lot since 1776. It started with the 13-star design most people connect to Betsy Ross, and over time, it grew into the 50-star American flag we know today.
Whether you're curious about how the first American flag came to be, the real story behind Betsy Ross, or why historical flag designs are making a comeback right now, the evolution of Old Glory is a great window into America's story.
The First American Flag and the Revolutionary Era
Before the Stars and Stripes existed, the colonies flew all kinds of banners during the Revolutionary War. One of the earliest was the "Grand Union Flag." It had 13 red and white stripes, but it still had the British Union Jack tucked into the corner. As you can imagine, once the colonies decided to break away from Britain, that flag had to go.
The colonies wanted something brand new. A flag for a brand new nation.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Resolution. The wording was short and to the point:
"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
That's it. No design rules for how to arrange the stars, no color meanings spelled out, no size requirements. The flag was officially a thing, but the details were left up to whoever was sewing it.
We now celebrate that day, June 14, as Flag Day every year.
Betsy Ross Flag History: Fact vs. Legend
You can't talk about the first American flag without talking about Betsy Ross. So here's what we actually know.
The legend goes like this: George Washington visited Betsy Ross at her Philadelphia upholstery shop in 1776. He showed her a sketch and asked if she could sew a flag for the new nation. She suggested using five-pointed stars instead of six-pointed ones because she could cut them with one quick snip of her scissors.
The flag she's said to have made features:
- 13 alternating red and white stripes
- A blue canton (the rectangle in the upper-left corner)
- 13 white stars arranged in a circle
The truth, though, is more complicated. The Betsy Ross story didn't become well-known until her grandson, William Canby, shared it publicly in 1870, about 94 years after the fact. There's no document from the 1770s that ties Betsy to the first flag design.
Here's what we do know for sure. Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross was a real person. She ran an upholstery shop in Philadelphia. And there are real records showing she was paid by the Pennsylvania State Navy Board in May 1777 for making "ship's colours" (flags for navy ships). So she absolutely made flags. Whether she designed the first one is the part historians still debate.
What’s even less well known is that there's also a competing claim. A man named Francis Hopkinson, who signed the Declaration of Independence, asked Congress to pay him for designing the flag. He wanted "a quarter cask of public wine" as payment. Congress eventually denied his request, but the paperwork still exists. So there's technically more documented evidence pointing to Hopkinson than to Betsy Ross.
Either way, the Betsy Ross flag has become one of the most loved historical American flags. The simple circle of 13 stars is a powerful image of unity from the original colonies.
The meaning behind the Stars and Stripes
Every part of the American flag means something. Even the colors.
The 13 Stripes
The 13 red and white stripes stand for the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain. And those 13 stripes are still a part of our American flag today.
The Stars
The stars are a symbol for each of the states. Every time a new state joined the Union, a new star was added. Today there are 50 stars for the 50 states.
The Colors
You'll see lots of websites confidently say that red means valor, white means purity, and blue means justice. However, most people don't know this fact. The 1777 Flag Resolution didn't actually say any of that. The colors weren't given an official meaning until 1782, when Charles Thomson explained the colors of the Great Seal of the United States. Since the Seal used the same red, white, and blue, those meanings got attached to the flag too.
His explanation:
- Red stands for valor and bravery
- White stands for purity and innocence
- Blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice
How the American flag changed over time
The early years of the flag were a little chaotic. Every time a new state joined the Union, lawmakers had to figure out what to do with the design.
The 15-star flag (1795)
In 1795, Vermont and Kentucky joined the country, so Congress added two stars and two stripes. The flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. This is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It's the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star-Spangled Banner.
Going back to 13 stripes (1818)
By 1818, more states were joining and it was clear the "add a star and a stripe for every new state" idea wasn't going to work long-term. The Flag Act of 1818 made two changes that stuck:
- The stripes went back to 13 to permanently honor the original 13 colonies.
- New stars would still be added, but only on the July 4th after a state joined.
That's the system we still use today.
The 50-star American flag (1960)
The current 50-star flag became official on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. As of 2026, it's been the official flag for 66 years. That's longer than any other version of the American flag in U.S. history.
Common myths about the American flag
Lots of "facts" you've heard about the flag aren't actually true. Let's clear up a few.
Myth: Betsy Ross officially designed the flag.
As we covered above, there's no document from 1776 proving it. The story came almost 100 years later from her grandson.
Myth: The flag can never be flown at night.
It absolutely can, as long as it's properly lit. Flag etiquette says lighting must be enough that the flag is clearly visible in the dark.
Myth: It's illegal for the flag to touch the ground.
Flag etiquette says you shouldn't let it touch the ground, but it's not actually illegal. And if it does touch the ground by accident, the flag isn't ruined and doesn't need to be retired. Just pick it up.
Myth: The stars were always in neat rows.
Early American flags had stars in circles, ovals, scattered patterns, and even one design with the stars arranged in the shape of a giant star. There was no single "correct" pattern for almost 100 years.
Myth: A flag has to be retired if it touches the ground.
Same as above. Incorrect. A flag should only be retired when it's worn beyond repair. For more on this, see our guide on when to replace your American flag.
What the American flag has been part of
The American flag isn't just a design. It's been there for almost every major American moment.
- A Valley Forge Flag was used during President John F. Kennedy's funeral procession in 1963.
- A Valley Forge Flag was the first American flag planted on the moon by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969.
- American flags have flown over the U.S. Capitol, every White House inauguration, and every Olympic Games featuring Team USA.
- A Valley Forge Flag raised over Iwo Jima during World War II became one of the most famous photos in American history.
Every one of those moments is part of the same flag's story. From 13 stars in a circle to 50 stars in neat rows, every version was American hands sewing American history.
Why historical American flags are popular again
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, historical flag designs are coming back in a big way. Homeowners, collectors, and patriotic families are buying them in numbers we haven't seen in years.
People are drawn to historical flags for a few reasons:
- They connect to America's founding ideals
- They have Revolutionary War heritage
- They fit the timeless Americana style popular in home design
- They honor family military history
- The designs are simple, classic, and powerful
Historical flags also pair really well with porches, front yards, and outdoor patriotic décor. They look right at home next to modern Americana style.
The Betsy Ross flag in particular keeps showing up because it represents the very beginning. That circle of 13 stars is a reminder that America started as a small group of colonies that decided to do something brave together. To mark the country's 250th, Elizabeth Ross has a limited edition Betsy Ross 250th Anniversary Commemorative Flag, crafted right here in the USA.
What makes a quality American flag today
If you're going to fly the flag, fly one that’s worth flying. There's a real difference between a $15 imported flag from a big-box store and a premium American flag built to last.
A quality American flag should have:
- American materials and American labor: Look for FMAA " Certified Made in the USA" certification, not just "designed in USA."
- Embroidered stars: Not printed. Each star sewn into the blue field one at a time.
- Individually sewn stripes: Not printed on one piece of fabric.
- Reinforced header: (the white strip with the grommets). Look for at least 2 inches thick.
- Solid brass grommets: These won't corrode.
- Double-needle lock-stitching: This way the seams won't unravel if one stitch breaks.
Every Elizabeth Ross American flag is made in the USA, has embroidered stars 15% larger than the industry standard, uses a 2.5-inch header that's 33% thicker than standard, and is built with 8 stitches per inch (about 15% more than typical). Our flags are made by Valley Forge Flag, the same company that's been making American flags for over 100 years.
How to display your American flag
Once you have a quality flag, displaying it correctly matters too. A few basic rules:
- The flag flies from sunrise to sunset, or 24 hours if it's properly lit at night.
- When flown with other flags, the American flag goes in the position of honor (highest point or to the flag's own right).
- The flag shouldn't touch the ground while being raised or lowered.
- The blue field of stars always goes in the upper left when displayed flat or against a wall.
- Bring the flag inside during severe weather to protect it.
For the complete rundown, check out our guide on proper American flag display etiquette and our American flag size guide if you're picking out a new flag.
The American flag as a living symbol
The story of the American flag is really the story of America itself. It's changed many times over almost 250 years, but the basic idea has never changed: the stripes for the original 13 colonies, the stars for the states that joined them, and the colors that stand for everything the country was founded on.
From the legendary Betsy Ross flag to the 50-star American flag flying today, every version tells a part of America's story. And as the country celebrates 250 years of independence, that story keeps going.
Whether you fly your flag on the front porch every day, raise it on holidays, or pass one down through your family, the Stars and Stripes will always mean something. That's what makes it worth flying right.
Ready to fly one of your own? Shop our full collection of premium American flags and pre-assembled flag kits, all proudly made in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Betsy Ross?
Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross was a Philadelphia upholsterer born in 1752. She made flags for the Pennsylvania State Navy during the Revolutionary War and later became linked to the story of sewing the first American flag. While historians debate that claim, she remains one of the most recognized figures in American flag history.
Why is the company called Elizabeth Ross Flags?
Elizabeth Ross Flags is named after Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross, the Philadelphia craftswoman associated with America’s earliest flags. As the consumer brand of Valley Forge Flag, the name reflects a commitment to American-made craftsmanship and traditional flag making.
Did Betsy Ross really make the first American flag?
There’s no surviving document proving Betsy Ross made the first American flag. The story became widely known in 1870 when her grandson shared the family account publicly. Historians do agree, however, that Ross was a real Revolutionary-era flag maker who supplied flags to the Pennsylvania State Navy.
What do the 13 stripes on the American flag represent?
The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776. Since 1818, the number of stripes has remained unchanged to honor America’s founding colonies.
When was the first American flag made?
The Continental Congress officially adopted the American flag on June 14, 1777. While the exact first flag is unknown, the earliest versions would have been made shortly afterward during the Revolutionary War.
How many official versions of the American flag have there been?
There have been 27 official versions of the American flag. A new version was introduced each time a state joined the Union and another star was added. The current 50-star flag has been used since 1960.
