Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • National Symbols

Flag of the United States

The Flag of the United States, commonly called the American flag or the Stars and Stripes, is the national flag of the United States.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Flag of the United States, commonly called the American flag or Stars and Stripes, is the national flag of the U.S. Its current design features 13 stripes and 50 stars, adopted in 1960.

What it is

The flag consists of 13 horizontal red and white stripes and a blue canton with 50 white stars. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the stars represent the 50 states. The first official flag was authorized by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.

Why it matters

The flag has been officially modified 27 times as new states joined the Union. Its design reflects the country's growth. For Canadian readers, it is a familiar symbol of the U.S., Canada's neighbour and major trading partner, frequently seen in cross-border media, diplomacy, travel, and sports.

Key details

The current 50-star version became official on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became a state. Flag Day is observed annually on June 14. U.S. flag etiquette includes specific rules for handling and display, especially in official settings.

In short

  • First official flag adopted June 14, 1777.
  • 13 stripes represent original 13 colonies.
  • 50 stars represent the 50 states.
  • Current 50-star flag adopted July 4, 1960.
Canadian angle

The flag is relevant to Canadian readers as a widely recognized national symbol of the United States, Canada's neighbour and major trading partner, and it is frequently seen in cross-border media, diplomacy, travel, and sports contexts.

Quick questions

When was the U.S. flag adopted?
The first official flag was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.
What do the stripes represent?
The 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies.
What do the stars represent?
The 50 stars represent the 50 states of the United States.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States
    Supports: Adoption date of June 14, 1777; Flag Day on June 14; tradition about early use
  2. National Flag Foundation — https://www.nationalflagfoundation.org/flag-history-evolution/
    Supports: Flag history; official changes; adoption of the Flag Resolution in 1777
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-the-United-States-of-America
    Supports: First official national flag approved by Congress on June 14, 1777
  4. PBS — https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/
    Supports: Stripes and stars symbolism; June 14, 1777 resolution; Flag Day observance; display etiquette
  5. USA.gov — https://www.usa.gov/flag
    Supports: Meaning of stripes, stars, and colors; last modification on July 4, 1960