Historical Progress of the Flag of the United States

Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of the U. S. flag was determined. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features were set up by the flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are shown below:

Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777; stated, “Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Act of January 13, 1794; provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
Act of April 4, 1818; provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.
Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912; established 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.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959; provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.
Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959; provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

The National Flag Series of the United States, Part 1 of 14
U.S. flag, 13 stars
The First Official United States Flag: This thirteen-star flag became the Official United States Flag on June 14, 1777, and is the result of congressional action that took place on that date. Evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design. The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This flag existed from 1777 to 1795. Each star and stripe represented each of the thirteen colonies, that were united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the U.S. Constitution and became a state. Delaware, December 7, 1787 Pennsylvania, December 12,1787 New Jersey, December18, 1787 Georgia, January 2, 1788 Connecticut, January 9, 1788 Massachusetts, February 6, 1788 Maryland, April 28, 1788 South Carolina, May 23, 1788 New Hampshire, June 21, 1788 Virginia, June 25, 1788 New York, July 26, 1788 North Carolina, November 21, 1789 Rhode Island, May 29, 1790 You may see the state flags here.
U.S. flag, 15 stars
The Star Spangled Banner: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on May 1,1795. Two stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1, 1792), and the flag was expected to last twenty-three years. The five Presidents who served under this flag were George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825). The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding two stripes and two stars. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. flag to have more than 13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, September 13, 1814. The flag image above is representative of the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry on that day and the original flag is now preserved in the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, D.C. You may see the state flags here.

U.S. Flag History, Part 2 of 14

Focusing on Flags of the World Main Page

Here are the lists of United States flag-history sections for your convenience:
U. S. Flags, Part 1 | U. S. Flags, Part 2 | U.S. Flags, 13 and 15 Stars | U.S. Flags, 20 and 21 Stars | U.S. Flags, 23 and 24 Stars | U.S. Flags, 25 and 26 Stars | U.S. Flags, 27 and 28 Stars | U.S. Flags, 29 and 30 Stars | U.S. Flags, 31 and 32 Stars | U.S. Flags, 33 and 34 Stars | U.S. Flags, 35 and 36 Stars | U.S. Flags, 37 and 38 Stars | U.S. Flags, 43 and 44 Stars | U.S. Flags, 45 and 46 Stars | U.S. Flags, 48 and 49 Stars | U.S. Flag, 50 Stars

A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark.
Professionals built the Titanic.

—Author Unknown

Historical Progress of the Flag of the United States

The National Flag Series of the United States, Part 1 of 14

U.S. Flag History, Part 2 of 14

Focusing on Flags of the World Main Page

Here are the lists of United States flag-history sections for your convenience:

A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth.