How has the American flag evolved from 1777?

Answer 1

The first flag of the United States of America looks much like it does today with 13 alternating red and white stripes and a blue union with white stars. Except in 1777 it had 13 stars in the blue union in the upper left corner of the flag. These 13 stars were arranged in rows of 3-2-3-2-3. If you connected the stars with diagonal and vertical lines they would look like the pattern of the British Union Jack or Kings Colors (Saint Andrews' Cross and Saint George's Cross).

Answer 2

The official flag of the United States of America was born in the 1777 Continental Congress: The Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777 - stated: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

From that first flag with 13 stars and 13 alternating red and white stripes there have been 27 different official designs, mainly by adding white stars in the union for each new state admitted to the USA. One flag in our history, the second flag, from 1795 to 1818 bore 20 stars and 20 stripes reflecting the admission of Vermont and Kentucky. In 1818 Congress redefined our flag as having 13 stripes but adding stars on July 4th for each new state that join.

Today, there are 50 stars in the union representing 50 states in the United States of America. Supposedly, the The US Army's "The Institute of Heraldry" (TIOH) has designs for flags up to 56 stars for 56 states. The TIOH is the official provider of flags designs to the US Government.