Happy Flag Day!
Did you know that the Grand Union Flag was our first flag?
This flag was used from December 3, 1775-June 14, 1777.
On June 14, 1777 our Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution to define our official naval ensign which was to have 13 alternating red and white stripes representing the original states and 13 stars on union representing a new constellation.
The Betsy Ross flag is now the most popular version of the new flag, but in 1777 several versions were used.
It wasn’t until 1818 that we set the limit on stripes to 13 and stars will be added to the union as states enter.
Over the years, we’ve had 26 versions. Our current 50 star union flag has been in circulation since July 4, 1960.
Happy Flag Day USA!
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Oil on canvas Flag Samplers by L. Nicholas Smith, Sampler Collection Portfolio
