Historical progression of the flags designs
Handout 1
No. of
Stars
Design
States Represented
by New Stars
Dates in Use
December 3, 1775[15]–June
14, 1777
Duration
in years
(months)
1
(18 months)
0
None
13
Original 13 states
June 14, 1777–May 1, 1795 18
(215
months)
15
Kentucky, Vermont
May 1, 1795–July 3, 1818
23
(278
months)
20
Indiana, Louisiana,
Mississippi,
Ohio, Tennessee
July 4, 1818–July 3, 1819
1
(12 months)
21
Illinois
July 4, 1819–July 3, 1820
1
(12 months)
23
Alabama, Maine
July 4, 1820–July 3, 1822
2
(24 months)
24
Missouri
July 4, 1822–July 3, 1836
14
(168
months)
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25
Arkansas
July 4, 1836–July 3, 1837
1
(12 months)
26
Michigan
July 4, 1837–July 3, 1845
8
(96 months)
27
Florida
July 4, 1845–July 3, 1846
1
(12 months)
28
Texas
July 4, 1846–July 3, 1847
1
(12 months)
29
Iowa
July 4, 1847–July 3, 1848
1
(12 months)
30
Wisconsin
July 4, 1848–July 3, 1851
3
(36 months)
31
California
July 4, 1851–July 3, 1858
7
(84 months)
32
Minnesota
July 4, 1858–July 3, 1859
1
(12 months)
33
Oregon
July 4, 1859–July 3, 1861
2
(24 months)
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34
Kansas
July 4, 1861–July 3, 1863
2
(24 months)
35
West Virginia
July 4, 1863–July 3, 1865
2
(24 months)
36
Nevada
July 4, 1865–July 3, 1867
2
(24 months)
37
Nebraska
July 4, 1867–July 3, 1877
10
(120
months)
38
Colorado
July 4, 1877–July 3, 1890
13
(156
months)
43
Idaho, Montana, North
Dakota,
South Dakota,
Washington
July 4, 1890–July 3, 1891
1
(12 months)
44
Wyoming
July 4, 1891–July 3, 1896
5
(60 months)
45
Utah
July 4, 1896–July 3, 1908
12
(144
months)
46
Oklahoma
July 4, 1908–July 3, 1912
4
(48 months)
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48
Arizona, New Mexico
July 4, 1912–July 3, 1959
47
(564
months)
49
Alaska
July 4, 1959–July 3, 1960
1
(12 months)
50
Hawaii
July 4, 1960–Present
46
(563
months)
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Flag Folding Ceremonies
Handout 2
The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans
departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of
our country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents the weakness of our nature. It represents the
fact that we turn to God in times of peace and also in times of war in
search for guidence.
The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our
Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our
country, right or wrong.
The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that We pledge allegiance to
the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation
under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we
protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or
without the boundaries of our republic.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we
might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love,
loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great
has been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of
our country since they were first born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in
the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son
and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our Nations
motto, "In God We Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers
who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones,
who were followed by their comrades
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Flag Etiquette & Customs
Handout 3
As an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat.
Special care should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is
then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by
colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white
stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of
night.
This custom of special folding is reserved for the United States Flag alone.
Step 1
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its
surface is parallel to the ground.
Step 2
Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the
bottom and top edges securely.
Step 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
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Step 4
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open
(top) edge of the flag.
Step 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
Step 6
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this
manner.
Step 7
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.
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