How many stars and stripes did the Star-Spangled Banner have in 1814?

The Star-Spangled Banner had 15 stars and 15 stripes in 1814.

The large garrison flag flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Its display inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry,” whose words later became the national anthem of the United States.

The extra stars and stripes represented Kentucky and Vermont, which had joined the Union after the original 13 states. Congress had required that new states be represented by additions to both stars and stripes. That policy changed in 1818, when the government returned to 13 stripes and continued adding stars for new states.

The surviving flag is now held by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. It is larger and more worn than many modern depictions suggest, because portions were cut away as souvenirs and because of long-term deterioration. The flag’s design is therefore an important predecessor to the familiar 50-star, 13-stripe flag.