How many stars did the original 1777 United States flag have?

The original 1777 United States flag had 13 stars.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution specifying thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The stars represented the thirteen states, described in the resolution as a “new constellation.” The resolution did not prescribe one exact arrangement for the stars.

Early flag makers used several patterns, including rows, squares, and circles. The familiar circle of thirteen stars is often called the Betsy Ross pattern, but no reliable contemporary evidence proves that Ross designed the national flag. The flag developed through multiple makers and versions rather than from a single confirmed designer.

The number of stars later increased as new states entered the Union. Congress eventually fixed the stripes at thirteen and continued adding stars for new states. The current flag has fifty stars, but it retains thirteen stripes to honor the original states.