| On June 14, 1777, at Philadelphia,the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress offered the resolution which resulted in the adoption of the United States flag. As new states were admitted it became evident that the number of stripes in the flag would have to be limited. Congress ordered that after July 4, 1818, the flag should have 13 stripes, symbolizing the thirteen original states, that the union would have twenty stars, and that a new star should be added on the July 4 following admission of a new state. The permanent arrangement of the stars is not designated,and no star is specifically identified with any state. Since 1912, following the admission of a new state, the new design has been announced by executive order. The original resolution read: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red & white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." |
