Flag of the United States Timeline of Events

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Flag of the United States

The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...

Timeline of Events

1775

12.2.1775

The USS Alfred becomes the first vessel to fly the Grand Union Flag (the precursor to the Stars and Stripes); the flag is hoisted by John Paul Jones.

1777

6.14.1777

The Stars and Stripes is adopted by Congress as the Flag of the United States.

6.14.1777

The Stars and Stripes is adopted by Congress as the Flag of the United States.

9.3.1777

American Revolutionary War: during the Battle of Cooch's Bridge, the Flag of the United States is flown in battle for the first time.

1818

4.4.1818

The United States Congress adopts the flag of the United States with 13 red and white stripes and one star for each state (then 20).

1898

8.12.1898

The Hawaiian flag is lowered from Iolani Palace in an elaborate annexation ceremony and replaced with the flag of the United States to signify the transfer of sovereignty from the Republic of Hawai`i to the United States.

1959

7.4.1959

With the admission of Alaska as the 49th U.S. state earlier in the year, the 49-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1960

7.4.1960

Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Act).