Congress adopted the first official design of the United States flag on June 14, 1777, a symbol featured in America250 celebrations.
The resolution stated that the flag would have thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The stars represented the new union of thirteen states, while the stripes continued the visual connection to the colonies.
The resolution did not specify the exact arrangement of the stars. Early flags therefore varied, including versions with stars in a circle or rows. The familiar fifty-star design came much later, after Hawaii became a state in 1959.
June 14 is observed annually as Flag Day. It is separate from Independence Day, which commemorates the Declaration of Independence, and from Memorial Day and Veterans Day, which honor different aspects of American military service.