The 1777 Flag Resolution specified 13 stars for the United States flag design.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved that the flag should have thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The stars represented the thirteen United States, described in the resolution as a new constellation.
The resolution did not specify the stars’ arrangement, number of points, or exact orientation. As a result, early flags appeared in several patterns, including circles, rows, and other arrangements.
The modern flag has 50 stars because each star represents a current state, while the thirteen stripes preserve the original symbolism of the thirteen colonies. Flag Day is observed annually on June 14.