What number of stars and stripes appeared on the U.S. flag in 1795, during the early America250 story?

The U.S. flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes in 1795, during the early America250 story.

Congress increased both numbers from 13 to 15 after Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union. The change reflected the number of states at that time, while the original 13 stars and stripes had represented the first states formed from the former colonies.

The 15-star, 15-stripe design remained official until 1818. As more states entered the Union, adding a stripe for every new state became impractical. Congress then restored the 13 stripes to represent the original colonies and specified that future additions would be represented by stars.

The 15-star flag is especially famous because it flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key's observation of that flag inspired the poem later known as “The Star-Spangled Banner.”