The Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the U.S. national flag in 1777.
On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the Flag Resolution, specifying thirteen alternating red and white stripes and a blue field containing thirteen white stars. The stripes represented the original United Colonies, while the stars represented a new constellation.
The earlier Continental Union Flag, also called the Grand Union Flag, had thirteen stripes but retained the British Union Flag in its canton. It was used from 1775 until 1777, so it is often confused with the Stars and Stripes.
The 1777 resolution did not specify the arrangement or shape of the stars. Over time, flagmakers used different patterns, including circles and rows. Later additions of stars represented new states, while the number of stripes was fixed at thirteen.