The Stars and Stripes Forever

by

History

This year marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence—and 249 years since the Continental Congress’s Flag Resolution, adopted on June 14, 1777. In this resolution, Congressional representatives determined that the official flag of the United States would "be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; ... [with a] union of thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

At first, that constellation may have been difficult to recognize. The Flag Resolution did not specify critical details, including the number of red versus white stripes, the star pattern, or even how many points the stars should have. One early version proudly displayed thirteen eight-pointed stars. When Declaration of Independence signatory Francis Hopkinson, of New Jersey, designed a standardized version of the flag with seven red stripes, six white, and thirteen stars arranged in five neat rows, all seemed so settled that he asked to be paid: first in a “Quarter Cask of the Public Wine,” and then in cash.

But the flag’s design was not quite as permanent as it seemed. At first, Congress wanted to add a star and a stripe for each new state. The Star-Spangled Banner, the Fort McHenry flag that inspired our national anthem, fell under this rule and thus bears fifteen stars and fifteen matching stripes. In 1818, Congress decided to keep the stripes to thirteen, but continue adding stars. Since 1777, the flag’s design has been officially modified 27 times, with our current design being the longest lasting: the fifty-star version has been flying since 1959. 

The American flag is our most familiar national symbol—of patriotism, mourning, celebration, and many points in between. 

Images of the flag abound in the Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s collection. It flies steadfast in the background of postcards and on hand fans given away at the opening of Brunswick’s Ships for Victory Memorial. It was saluted by troops at Naval Air Station St. Simons during World War II, and it flew as our last Lighthouse keeper, David O’Hagan, attended the ceremony that opened the Lighthouse to the public in 1984. Perhaps most recognizably, the American flag appeared at every Liberty ship launching at Brunswick’s J.A. Jones Shipyard: day or night, rain or shine. 

The Coastal Georgia Historical Society is honored to join organizations across the country and you, our neighbors, in celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.

Coastal Georgia Historical Society presents this article and images from our archives as part of our mission “to connect people to Coastal Georgia’s dynamic history.” The Society operates the iconic St. Simons Lighthouse Museum and the World War II Home Front Museum, housed in the Historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach. To learn more about the Society, its museums, diverse programs, and membership, please visit coastalgeorgiahistory.org.