How many stars and stripes are on the flag?
There are 50 stars representing the 50 states and there are 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies.
Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico
from The CIA World Factbook.
When are new stars added to the flag?
A new star is added to the flag on the July 4th following the entry into the Union of the new state.
What are the specifications for the colors of the flag?
The color names and specifications (Pantone, RGB, CMYK and web-hex) of the U.S. flag are as follows:
Old Glory Blue
- Pantone: 282C
- RGB: 0,33,71
- CMYK: 100,87,37,51
- HEX: #002147
Old Glory Red
- and PMS 193C.
- RGB: 187,19,62
- CMYK: 8,100,77,1
- HEX: #BB133E
Who made the first flag and when?
Betsy Ross, made the first flag. Information on Betsy Ross, the history of the flag and on flag etiquette may be found at the Betsy Ross Home Page maintained by the Independence Hall Association of Philadelphia.
Any other questions?
- The Department of State Marking Policy page hosts the Marking Policy Style Guide (PDF – 6.7Mb)
- The Flag of the United States includes the history of the flag, graphics of historic and current flags and an invaluable collection of flag FAQs.
- Our Flag: Frequently Asked Questions provided by The American Legion, the world’s largest veterans’ organization.
- Star Spangled Manners: neat graphical representations of how to hang and display the flag, courtesy of the U.S. Navy
- The Star Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem @ The Smithsonian site
As a seasoned enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of American history and symbols, particularly the U.S. flag, let me delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article.
Stars and Stripes: The U.S. flag is a powerful symbol with 50 stars representing the 50 states and 13 stripes representing the 13 original colonies. The design consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white. In the upper hoist-side corner, there is a blue rectangle bearing 50 small white five-pointed stars. This arrangement has been the foundation for numerous flags globally, including those of Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico.
Addition of New Stars: New stars are added to the U.S. flag on July 4th following the entry of a new state into the Union. This practice ensures that the flag accurately reflects the number of states in the United States.
Color Specifications: The specifications for the colors of the U.S. flag are precise. Old Glory Blue, represented by Pantone 282C, has the RGB values 0, 33, 71; CMYK values 100, 87, 37, 51; and the web-hex code #002147. Old Glory Red, or PMS 193C, features RGB values 187, 19, 62; CMYK values 8, 100, 77, 1; and the web-hex code #BB133E. These specifications ensure consistency in reproducing the flag's colors across various mediums.
Maker of the First Flag: Betsy Ross is credited with making the first U.S. flag. Additional information about Betsy Ross, the flag's history, and flag etiquette can be explored on the Betsy Ross Home Page maintained by the Independence Hall Association of Philadelphia.
Additional Resources: For those seeking more information, the Department of State Marking Policy page provides a Marking Policy Style Guide. The Flag of the United States, with its rich history and graphics of historic and current flags, is a valuable resource. The American Legion, the world’s largest veterans’ organization, offers a comprehensive FAQ section titled "Our Flag: Frequently Asked Questions." The U.S. Navy provides graphical representations on "Star Spangled Manners," guiding individuals on how to properly hang and display the flag. Lastly, The Smithsonian site presents "The Star Spangled Banner: The Flag That Inspired the National Anthem."
Feel free to pose any further questions, and I'll gladly share my expertise on this topic.
