History of the flags of the United States
This article describes the evolution of the flag of the United States, as well as other flags used within the United States, such as the flags of governmental agencies. There are also separate flags for embassies and boats.
National flags
Historical progression of designs
Since 1818, a star for each new state has been added to the flag on the Fourth of July immediately following each state's admission. In years which multiple states were admitted, the number of stars on the flag jumped correspondingly; the most pronounced example of this is 1890, when five states were admitted within the span of a single year (North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Washington in November 1889 and Idaho on July 3, 1890). This change has typically been the only change made with each revision of the flag since 1777, with the exception of changes in 1795 and 1818, which increased the number of stripes to 15 and then returned it to 13, respectively.
As the exact pattern of stars was not specified prior to 1912, and the exact colors not specified prior to 1934, many of the historical U.S. national flags shown below are typical rather than official designs.
1775–1777 (the "Grand Union Flag") 1795–1818 (the "Star-Spangled Banner")
Other historical versions
Betsy Ross circular 13-star version (1792) Battle of Bennington version (1777)
Possible future designs
With the addition of states, the U.S. flag increases the number of stars. Examples of possible designs for U.S. flags with up to 5 additional states are displayed here.
Executive branch flags
Office of the President
Flag of the Executive Office of the President Flag of the Trade Representative
Office of the Vice President
Department of State
Flag of the Department of State Flag of the Secretary of State Flag of the Deputy Secretary of State Flag of United States ambassadors Flag of a Consular officer Flag of a Foreign Service officer
Department of the Treasury
Flag of the Secretary of the Treasury Flag of the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Flag of an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Flag of an Under Secretary of the Treasury Flag of the Comptroller of the Currency
Department of Defense
Flag of the Secretary of Defense Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Defense Flag of an Assistant Secretary of Defense Flag of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag of the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag of the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Flag of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Flag of the National Security Agency Flag of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Flag of the Defense Commissary Agency
Department of the Army
Flag of the Secretary of the Army Flag of the Under Secretary of the Army
Army
- Template:FAIV Field flag of the United States Army
Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Army Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Flag of the Surgeon General of the Army Flag of the First Army Flag of the Second Army Flag of Army Central Flag of the Fourth Army Flag of Army North Flag of the Sixth Army Flag of the Seventh Army Flag of the Eighth Army Flag of the 1st Armored Division Flag of the 2nd Armored Division Flag of the 3rd Armored Division Flag of the 1st Cavalry Division Flag of the 1st Infantry Division Flag of the 2nd Infantry Division Flag of the 3rd Infantry Division Flag of the 25th Infantry Division Flag of the 28th Infantry Division Flag of the 29th Infantry Division Flag of the 36th Infantry Division Flag of the 40th Infantry Division Flag of the I Corps Flag of the XVIII Airborne Corps
Department of the Navy
Flag of the Secretary of the Navy Flag of the Under Secretary of the Navy
Marine Corps
Flag of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Flag of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment
Navy
Flag of the Chief of Naval Operations Flag of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations Flag of an unrestricted line (URL) Navy admiral (staff corps flag officers have white flags with the appropriate number of blue stars in an identical pattern as URL admiral's flags). Flag of an URL Navy vice admiral Flag of an URL Navy rear admiral Flag of an URL Navy rear admiral (lower half)
Department of the Air Force
Flag of the Secretary of the Air Force Flag of the Under Secretary of the Air Force
Air Force
Flag of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Flag of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Space Force
Department of Justice
Flag of the Department of Justice Flag of the Attorney General Flag of the Associate Attorney General Flag of an Assistant Attorney General Flag of a United States Attorney Flag of the Marshals Service Flag of the Marshals Service Flag of the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Department of the Interior
Flag of the Department of the Interior Flag of the Secretary of the Interior Flag of the National Park Service Guidon of the National Park Service Flag of the Fish and Wildlife Service Flag of the Bureau of Land Management Flag of the Geological Survey
Department of Agriculture
Flag of the Department of Agriculture Flag of the Secretary of Agriculture Flag of the Forest Service
Department of Commerce
Flag of the Department of Commerce Flag of the Secretary of Commerce Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Commerce Flag of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Department of Labor
Flag of the Department of Labor Flag of the Secretary of Labor
Department of Health and Human Services
Flag of the Department of Health and Human Services Flag of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Flag of the Public Health Service Flag of the Surgeon General
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Flag of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
Department of Transportation
Flag of the Department of Transportation Flag of the Secretary of Transportation Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Transportation Flag of an Assistant Secretary of Transportation Flag of the Federal Aviation Administration Flag of the Maritime Administration
Department of Energy
Flag of the Department of Energy Flag of the Secretary of Energy
Department of Education
Flag of the Department of Education Flag of the Secretary of Education
Department of Veterans Affairs
Flag of the Department of Veterans Affairs Flag of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Department of Homeland Security
Flag of the Department of Homeland Security Flag of the Secretary of Homeland Security Flag of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Flag of Customs and Border Protection Flag of the Border Patrol Flag of the Secret Service Flag of the Federal Protective Service Flag of the CBP Office of Field Operations Flag of the Transportation Security Administration
Coast Guard
Guidon of the Coast Guard Flag of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flag of the Commandant of the Coast Guard Flag of the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard
Legislative branch flags
Congress
Flag of the Senate Flag of the House of Representatives Flag of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Flag of the Capitol Police Flag of the Library of Congress Flag of the Government Accountability Office
Other federal flags
Many agencies, departments, and offices of the U.S. federal government have their own flags, guidons, or standards. Following traditional American vexillology, these usually consist of the agency's departmental seal on a blank opaque background, but not always.
Flag of the National Reconnaissance Office Flag of the Central Intelligence Agency Flag of the Environmental Protection Agency Flag of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Flag of the Securities and Exchange Commission - Flag of the Peace Corps
- Flag of the Tennessee Valley Authority
Flag of the Federal Trade Commission Flag of the National Science Foundation Flag of the Smithsonian Institution Flag of the Social Security Administration
State and territory flags
The flags of the U.S. states, territories and federal district exhibit a variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as different styles and design principles. Nonetheless, the majority of the states' flags share the same design pattern consisting of the state seal superimposed on a monochrome background, commonly every different shade of blue.
The most recent current state flag is that of Utah (February 16, 2011), while the most recent current territorial flag is that of the Northern Mariana Islands (July 1, 1985).
History
Modern U.S. state flags date from the 1890s, when states wanted to have distinctive symbols at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Most U.S. state flags were designed and adopted between 1893 and World War I.[1]
According to a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association, New Mexico has the best-designed flag of any U.S. state, U.S. territory, or Canadian province, while Georgia's state flag was rated the worst design.[2] (Georgia adopted a new flag in 2003; Nebraska's state flag, whose design was rated second worst, remains in use to date.)
Current state flags
Dates in parentheses denote when the current flag was adopted by the state's legislature.
Flag of California
(February 3, 1911)Flag of Connecticut
(September 9, 1897)Flag of Idaho
(November 2, 1957)Flag of Illinois
(June 27, 1969)Flag of Massachusetts
(March 21, 1971)Flag of Mississippi
(April 23, 1894, and February 7, 2001; see notes)[5][5][N 1]Flag of New Hampshire
(November 30, 1931)Flag of New Jersey
(January 15, 1896)Flag of New Mexico
(September 18, 1920)Flag of New York
(April 1, 1901)Flag of North Carolina
(June 24, 1991)[6]Flag of North Dakota
(November 9, 1943)Flag of Pennsylvania
(April 24, 1907)Flag of Rhode Island
(July 27, 1640, formally November 1, 1897)Flag of South Carolina
(September 28, 1861)Flag of South Dakota
(November 9, 1992)Flag of Washington[15]
(March 5, 1923)Flag of West Virginia
(November 6, 1929)
Current federal district flag
District of Columbia (federal district)
Current territory flags
American Samoa (territory) Guam (territory) Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth in political union) Puerto Rico (territory with commonwealth status)
Uninhabited territory flags
The U.S. national flag is the official flag for all islands, atolls, and reefs composing the United States Minor Outlying Islands. However, unofficial flags are in use on three of these nine insular areas:
Associated state flags
While the countries mentioned are recognized independent nations with UN seats, the U.S. maintains and exercises jurisdictional control over the countries in defense, security, and funding grants.
County flags
Municipal organizations
- Flag of the Los Angeles County Fire Department
- Flag of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
City flags
Municipal organizations
- Flag of the Los Angeles Police Department
- Flag of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department
Maritime flags
Ensigns
National
Since 1777, the national ensign of the United States has also simultaneously served as its national flag. The current version is shown below; for previous versions, please see the section Historical progression of designs above.
Ensign of the United States (1960–present) Grand Union Flag (naval ensign, 1775–1777) Civil Ensign (circa 1776)
Other
Ensign of the Coast Guard - Ensign of the Power Squadrons
Jacks
Union Jack (state jack, 2002–present; naval and state jack, 1960–2002, 2019–present) First Navy Jack (naval jack, 2002–2019) Naval Jack (circa 1776)
Native American tribal flags
Flag of the Arapaho Flag of the Hopi Tribe Flag of the Osage Nation Flag of the Puyallup Tribe Flag of the Sac and Fox
Historical flags
American Revolutionary War
Bedford Flag (1775)
Former federal flags
Flag of the President (1899) Flag of the President (1902) Flag of the President (1916) Flag of the President (1945) Flag of the Vice President (1915) Flag of the Vice President (1936) Flag of the Vice President (1948) Flag of the Environmental Science Services Administration (1965–1970) Flag of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (until 2003) Flag of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (until 2003) Flag of the Department of the Interior (until 1917) Flag of the General Services Administration (1972–1973)
Flag of the General Services Administration (1973–1989)
Flag of the Secretary of the Interior (1917–1934) Infantry Battalion flag (de facto flag of the U.S. Navy until 1959) Flag of the Secretary of Labor (1915–1960) Flag of the Department of Labor (1915–1960) Flag of the Secretary of the Treasury (1887–1915) Flag of the Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service Flag of the Marine Hospital Service Flag of the Bureau of Navigation (?–1946) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1799) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1815) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1836) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1841) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1867) Ensign of the Revenue-Marine (1868) Ensign of the Coast Guard (1915–1953) Flag of the Coast Guard Auxiliary (1940–1968) Flag of U.S. Forces – Iraq (2010–2011) Pennant of the
United States Life-Saving Service
(?–1915)Pennant of the United States Lighthouse Service
(?–1939)Flag of the Commissioner of Lighthouses
(?–1939)Flag of the Superintendent of Lighthouses
(?–1939)Flag of the Marine Corps
(1914–1939)Fort Sumter Flag (1861) Flag of the Department of Transportation (1967–1980)
Other states
Flag of the Green Mountain Boys, the Vermont Republic (1777–1791), and the state of Vermont (1791–1804) Texas Come and Take It flag J.P Gillis Flag (California) Alamo flag (Texas) Flag of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment Flag of the 8th California Infantry Regiment
See also
Notes
- The Mississippi flag was first adopted in April 1894. However, it was repealed in 1906, but remained in de facto usage until its official re-adoption in April 2001.
References
- Artimovich, Nick. "Questions & Answers". North American Vexillological Association. p. 8. Archived from the original on April 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
- Kaye, Ted (2001-06-10). "NEW MEXICO TOPS STATE/PROVINCIAL FLAGS SURVEY, GEORGIA LOSES BY WIDE MARGIN". North American Vexillological Association. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved 2007-10-07.
- "State Flag of Alabama". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
- Anderson, Ed (November 22, 2010). "New Louisiana state flag with bleeding pelican is unfurled". The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2010.
- State of Mississippi (February 7, 2001). "Miss. Code Ann. § 3-3-16: Design of state flag". Mississippi Code of 1972. LexisNexis.
HISTORY: SOURCES: Laws, 2001, ch. 301, § 2, eff from and after February 7, 2001 (the date the United States Attorney General interposed no objection under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to the addition of this section.)
- "Official State Symbols of North Carolina". North Carolina State Library. State of North Carolina. Archived from the original on 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-01-26.
- "The Oklahoma State Flag". NetState. NState, LLC. February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
Colors shall be colorfast and shall not bleed one into another. Added by Laws 1925, c. 234, p. 340, § 1. Amended by Laws 1941, p. 90, § 1; Laws 2006, c. 181, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.
- "Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1359". Oklahoma State Courts Network. May 23, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
This act shall become effective November 1, 2006.
- Text states that Oregon adopted its flag in 1925
- Dan Bammes (2011-02-17). "Legislature: Fixing the Flag". KUER-FM. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
- "Utah State Flag Concurrent Resolution, 2011 General Session, State of Utah". Retrieved February 17, 2011.
- Keith McCord (12 February 2011). "Resolution aims to correct state flag goof". KSL-TV. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
- Dennis Romboy (9 March 2011). "Utahns celebrate first State Flag Day". KSL-TV. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
- Commonwealth of Virginia (February 1, 1950). "§ 1-506. Flag of the Commonwealth". Code of Virginia. Virginia: Commonwealth of Virginia. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
The flag of the Commonwealth shall be a deep blue field, with a circular white centre of the same material. Upon this circle shall be painted or embroidered, to show on both sides alike, the coat of arms of the Commonwealth, as described in § 1-500 for the obverse of the great seal of the Commonwealth; and there may be a white fringe on the outer edge, furthest from the flagstaff. This shall be known and respected as the flag of the Commonwealth. (Code 1950, § 7-32; 1966, c. 102, § 7.1-32; 2005, c. 839.)
- "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
- State of Wisconsin. "286". Section: 1.08: State flag. Laws of 1979. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
The department of administration shall ensure that all official state flags that are manufactured on or after May 1, 1981, conform to the requirements of this section. State flags manufactured before May 1, 1981, may continue to be used as state flags.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of the United States. |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of the United States. |
- The History of U.S. Flags (YouTube) (Slideshow on U.S. National Flags Historical Progression)
- History of the flags (in Russian)
- United States Minor Outlying Islands at Flags of the World