“Old Glory. Stars and Stripes. The Star-Spangled Banner. The Red, White, and Blue.” Whatever you call it, the American flag has been telling our nation’s story for over 200 years.

• It has waved and been displayed in times of triumph, hardship, war, and celebration—and it’s still the most recognized symbol of freedom around the world.

The legend goes that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia upholsterer, sewed the first flag after meeting with George Washington. But was she the true designer? Maybe.

• Perhaps it was Francis Hopkinson, a Declaration of Independence signer who even billed Congress for “designing the flag” (his price: two casks of ale!).

• The truth is still a mystery, but the Betsy Ross flag remains an icon of our Revolution.

As the nation grew, so did the flag. First, stripes and stars were added for each new state—leading to a one-time 15-star, 15-stripe design in 1795, after Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union.

• This unique version is the very flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812.

• By 1818, Congress streamlined things: returning back to 13 stripes for the original colonies, but now one star for each state representing our growing and expanding country.

• Later, in 1912, President Taft locked in the star pattern we still use today.

Over the years, there have been 27 official versions of the American flag.

• The current design—the 27th—was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state.

• Remarkably, this version has flown longer than any other, remaining unchanged for more than 60 years.

From flying above Fort McHenry, to being raised over Iwo Jima in WWII, to landing on the moon, and always displayed proudly from porches across America—the flag has always been there, uniting us as Americans.

• Its stripes honor our beginnings, its stars reflect our growth, and together they shine as a bold and enduring beacon of freedom for the world.

“Today's Flag”

A Symbol of Resilience and Evolution Through the Years