FAMOUS FLAGS

Grand Union Flag 1775: Also known as the Continental flag, it is the first true U.S. Flag. It combined the British King's Colours and the thirteen stripes signifying Colonial unity.  (Credit: www.usflags.org)

Betsy Ross Flag: Since there was no official flag during the first year of the United States, there were a great number of homespun flag designs. This flag is without question the most well known of those.  (Credit: www.usflags.org)

First United States Flag: This 13-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June14th, 1777 and is the result of the congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.  (Credit: www.usflags.org)

Fort Sumter Flag: This was the Garrison Storm Flag flying over the Fort on April 13th, 1861 during the Confederate Bombardment that signaled the beginning of the Civil War.  (Photo Credit: National Park Service)

Battle of Manassas American Flag:  This flag was reportedly carried by Union troops during the Battle of Second Manassas (or Bull Run) in August of 1862.  (Photo Credit: National Park Service)

Confederate "Stars & Bars":  This first national flag of the Confederacy, known as the "Stars and Bars," is currently located at the Fort Pulaski National Monument.   (Photo Credit: National Park Service)

The 48 Star Flag: On July 4,1912, the U.S. flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912) Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established the proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag, through two World Wars and the emergence of the United States of America as the leading nation of the world. (Credit: www.usflags.org)

The Ninety-Star Patriotic or Political Banner: The union consists of two sets of 45 stars that have been machine sown. This is one of two American flags known that were created with red, white, and blue stripes. The flag may have been used during a naval festival during the Spanish-American War of 1898-1899.