DAR Vesuvius Furnace Chapter

Thank you Hudson River Patriots!

In honor of the America250! Celebration, this page is sharing information during the month of June on US Flag.

There have been exactly 27 official versions of the American flag since the first Stars and Stripes were adopted in 1777. The flag is legally updated every July 4th following the admission of a new state to the Union. Each have had a different number of stars in the blue union.

Because flag makers initially had creative freedom with star arrangements, there are many famous unofficial historical variations (like the Betsy Ross, Cowpens, or Great Star flags) within these eras. Only the 27 listed were officially sanctioned by Congress.

The 27 official versions of Old Glory are tracked by the number of stars they feature:

13 Stars: 1777–1795 (The original flag, representing the 13 colonies).
15 Stars: 1795–1818 (Adopted after Vermont and Kentucky joined; the Star-Spangled Banner that inspired the national anthem).
20 Stars: 1818–1819 (Following the Flag Act of 1818, the stripes were permanently set at 13, and stars represent states).
21 Stars: 1819–1820 (Illinois)
23 Stars: 1820–1822 (Alabama, Maine)
24 Stars: 1822–1836 (Missouri)
25 Stars: 1836–1837 (Arkansas)
26 Stars: 1837–1845 (Michigan)
27 Stars: 1845–1846 (Florida)
28 Stars: 1846–1847 (Texas)
29 Stars: 1847–1848 (Iowa)
30 Stars: 1848–1851 (Wisconsin)
31 Stars: 1851–1858 (California)
32 Stars: 1858–1859 (Minnesota)
33 Stars: 1859–1861 (Oregon)
34 Stars: 1861–1863 (Kansas)
35 Stars: 1863–1865 (West Virginia)
36 Stars: 1865–1867 (Nevada)
37 Stars: 1867–1877 (Nebraska)
38 Stars: 1877–1890 (Colorado)
43 Stars: 1890–1891 (Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington)
44 Stars: 1891–1896 (Wyoming)
45 Stars: 1896–1908 (Utah)
46 Stars: 1908–1912 (Oklahoma)
48 Stars: 1912–1959 (Arizona, New Mexico)
49 Stars: 1959–1960 (Alaska)
50 Stars: 1960–Present (Hawaii)

The Flag Has Its Own Specific Pantone Colors - The official Pantone standardized color system swatches for the red and blue of the flag are Blue 282 C and Red 193 C, also known as Old Glory Blue and Old Glory Red. According to the State Department, they are "the only colors that can be used to make up the U.S. Flag."