Evolution Of The U.S. Flag

As America has changed over the centuries, so too has one of its most majestic symbols. Here is how the U.S. flag has evolved.

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Musk Compound Map

1776

Betsy Ross’ uncirculated first attempt

1780

Adopted at the height of the American Revolution, this is popularly known among historians as the “Oh Jeez What a Mess” flag

1790

The “Stars and Asexual Pride” flag was the first to feature stars in a blue field, as well as stripes signifying the 13 original colonies’ lack of sexual attraction

1818

A flag with 20 stars, representing the highest number most Americans could count to at the time

1876

A yellow flag created to celebrate the invention of the banana

1944

A “Hedging Our Bets” flag commissioned by the U.S. government

1963

Flag the White House was instructed to fly if JFK was ever assassinated

1989

Commissioned when President George H.W. Bush briefly believed Berlin would become the 51st state

1990

The first ADA-compliant flag with audio descriptions

1997

Often referred to as “Joe Flag,” this leather-jacket-wearing anthropomorphic banner was discontinued after the U.S. government cracked down on flags promoting patriotism to children

2002

Halloween flag from when America dressed up as Jamaica

2005

A popular design intended to be waved by shaking your ass on a party boat

2008

A “Sharia Law Flag” introduced to celebrate Barack Obama’s historic victory

2014–2016

“Ms. Flag,” described in the U.S. Flag Code as a “strong, sassy banner who loves speaking her mind and chasing her goals,” was introduced at the peak of pop feminism in the mid-2010s.

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