List of flags of the United States

This is a list of flags in the United States describing 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 ships.

See also: Flags of the U.S. states and territories
A 2.00 m × 1.70 m oil painting showing historical US flags.

National flags
Main article: Flag of the United States

Historical progression of designs

Since 1818, a star for each new state has been added to the flag on the Fourth of July the year immediately following each state's admission. In years in which multiple states have been admitted, the corresponding number of stars were added to the flag. 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, many of the historical U.S. national flags (shown below) have had varied arrangements of the stars.[1]

  • 1776–1777 (the "Grand Union Flag")
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1776–1777 (the "Grand Union Flag")
  • 1777–1795 (13 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1777–1795 (13 stars)
  • Betsy Ross circular 13-star version (1792) *other
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Betsy Ross circular 13-star version (1792) *other
  • "Hopkinson" version (1777-1795) *other
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag "Hopkinson" version (1777-1795) *other
  • Battle of Bennington version (1777) *other
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Battle of Bennington version (1777) *other
  • 1795–1818 (the "Star-Spangled Banner", 15 stars, 15 stripes)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1795–1818 (the "Star-Spangled Banner", 15 stars, 15 stripes)
  • 1818–1819 (20 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1818–1819 (20 stars)
  • 1819–1820 (21 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1819–1820 (21 stars)
  • 1820–1822 (23 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1820–1822 (23 stars)
  • 1822–1836 (24 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1822–1836 (24 stars)
  • 1836–1837 (25 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1836–1837 (25 stars)
  • 1837–1845 (26 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1837–1845 (26 stars)
  • 1845–1846 (27 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1845–1846 (27 stars)
  • 1846–1847 (28 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1846–1847 (28 stars)
  • 1847–1848 (29 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1847–1848 (29 stars)
  • 1848–1851 (30 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1848–1851 (30 stars)
  • 1851–1858 (31 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1851–1858 (31 stars)
  • 1858–1859 (32 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1858–1859 (32 stars)
  • 1859–1861 (33 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1859–1861 (33 stars)
  • 1861–1863 (34 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1861–1863 (34 stars)
  • 1863–1865 (35 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1863–1865 (35 stars)
  • 1865–1867 (36 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1865–1867 (36 stars)
  • 1867–1877 (37 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1867–1877 (37 stars)
  • 1877–1890 (38 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1877–1890 (38 stars)
  • 1890–1891 (43 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1890–1891 (43 stars)
  • 1891–1896 (44 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1891–1896 (44 stars)
  • 1896–1908 (45 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1896–1908 (45 stars)
  • 1908–1912 (46 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1908–1912 (46 stars)
  • 1912–1959 (48 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1912–1959 (48 stars)
  • 1959–1960 (49 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1959–1960 (49 stars)
  • 1960–present (50 stars)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1960–present (50 stars)

Other historical versions

Executive branch flags

Office of the President

Office of the Vice President

Department of State

Department of the Treasury

Department of Defense
See also: Flags of the United States Armed Forces

Department of the Army

Army

Department of the Navy
Marine Corps

Department of the Air Force
Air Force
Space Force

National Guard Bureau
Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. It has quasi-military organizational and rank structures modeled on those of the Air Force.[2]

Department of Justice

Department of the Interior

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Flag of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Flag of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Flag of the Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Flag of an Associate Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of an Associate Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps

Department of Labor

Department of Health and Human Services

United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of Transportation

Department of Energy

Department of Education

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Homeland Security

Coast Guard

Legislative branch flags

Congress

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.

State and territory flags
Main article: Flags of the U.S. states and territories

Map showing the flags of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the five inhabited U.S. territories

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, which remains a source of criticism from vexillologists.

The most recent current state flag is that of Mississippi (November 3, 2020, officially January 11, 2021), 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.[3]

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.[4] (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.

Current federal district flag

Current inhabited territory flags

Current 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 have been used for three of these nine insular areas:

County flags
Main article: commons:Flags of counties of the United States

City flags
Main article: commons:Flags of cities of the United States

Maritime flags

Ensigns
Main article: Ensign of the United States

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.

States

Other
Jacks
Main article: Jack of the United States
  • Union Jack (state jack, 2002–present; naval and state jack, 1960–2002, 2019–present)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Union Jack (state jack, 2002–present; naval and state jack, 1960–2002, 2019–present)
  • First Navy Jack (naval jack for all warships 1975–1976 & 2002–2019; for oldest commissioned warship 1980–present)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag First Navy Jack (naval jack for all warships 1975–1976 & 2002–2019; for oldest commissioned warship 1980–present)
  • Naval Jack (circa 1776)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Naval Jack (circa 1776)

Distinctive marks
Main article: Distinctive mark

Commissioning pennants
Main article: Commissioning pennant

Native American tribal flags
Further information: Flags of Native Americans in the United States on Wikimedia Commons

Associated state flags

While the countries mentioned are recognized independent nations with United Nations seats, the United States maintains and exercises jurisdictional control over the countries in defense, security, and funding grants.

Historical flags

American Revolutionary War

Former federal flags

Other states

Former territories and administered areas

See also

References
  1. "The Flag of the United States of America". The United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  2. "Civil Air Patrol". AF.mil. United States Air Force. 23 January 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2010.
  3. Artimovich, Nick. "Questions & Answers". North American Vexillological Association. p. 8. Archived from the original on April 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-20.
  4. 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.
  5. "State Flag of Alabama". Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors. Alabama Department of Archives & History. 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2007-03-18.
  6. 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.
  7. "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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1359". Oklahoma State Courts Network. May 23, 2006. Retrieved January 26, 2015. This act shall become effective November 1, 2006.
  10. Text states that Oregon adopted its flag in 1925
  11. Dan Bammes (2011-02-17). "Legislature: Fixing the Flag". KUER-FM. Retrieved 2011-02-17.
  12. "Utah State Flag Concurrent Resolution, 2011 General Session, State of Utah". Retrieved February 17, 2011.
  13. Keith McCord (12 February 2011). "Resolution aims to correct state flag goof". KSL-TV. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
  14. Dennis Romboy (9 March 2011). "Utahns celebrate first State Flag Day". KSL-TV. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  15. 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.)
  16. "Symbols of Washington State". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2007-03-11.
  17. State of Wisconsin. "286". Section: 1.08: State flag. 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. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
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