american flag

The American flag, also known as the U.S. flag, consists of thirteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white, representing the original thirteen British colonies that won independence from Great Britain. It features a blue rectangle in the canton (top left corner) with fifty white stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, symbolizing the 50 U.S. states. The flag's colors have specific meanings: red stands for valor and bravery, white denotes purity and innocence, and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice. The flag is popularly called "the Stars and Stripes," "Old Glory," or "the Star-Spangled Banner." The current design was last updated in 1960 after the admission of Hawaii as a state. The flag is a symbol of American freedom and identity, widely recognized and honored with a dedicated Flag Day on June 14 each year. The flag originated during the American Revolutionary War, evolving over time from designs such as the Continental Union Flag. The Flag Resolution of 1777 officially established the pattern of thirteen stripes and stars representing a new constellation, symbolizing the new nation.