Ever looked at Old Glory and really counted? It’s 13. Most of us learn that in kindergarten. Seven red, six white. It seems like a static, unchangeable fact of American life, like gravity or taxes. But the number of stripes on the American flag was once a chaotic, evolving mess that nearly turned the banner into a pinstriped nightmare.
History isn't always a straight line.
If the original plan for the flag had actually stuck, we wouldn't be looking at thirteen stripes today. We’d be looking at fifty. Imagine the visual headache of trying to cram fifty individual stripes onto a standard-sized piece of fabric. It would look like a barcode from a distance. Or a very patriotic radiator.
The Early Days of Stripe Counting
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Resolution on June 14, 1777. It was short. To the point. They decided the flag of the thirteen United States would have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen stars, white in a blue field. Simple enough.
But then things got weird.
Vermont joined the Union in 1791. Kentucky followed in 1792. Now we had fifteen states. The logic at the time was pretty straightforward: if we add a star for a new state, we should probably add a stripe too. So, in 1794, Congress hopped on the "more is more" bandwagon and passed an act increasing the number of stars and stripes to fifteen.
This 15-stripe version is actually one of the most famous flags in history. It’s the "Star-Spangled Banner" that Mary Pickersgill sewed and that Francis Scott Key saw flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It wasn't just a flag; it was a massive statement. But as more states started knocking on the door—Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana—lawmakers realized they had a massive design flaw on their hands.
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If they kept adding stripes, each one would have to get thinner. Eventually, they’d be so thin you couldn't see them. The flag would start to look pink from a distance.
Captain Reid and the Great Reset
By 1818, there were twenty states. The flag was starting to look cluttered. A guy named Captain Samuel C. Reid, a naval hero from the War of 1812, stepped in with a suggestion that basically saved the aesthetic of the United States. He told Congressman Peter H. Wendover that they should go back to the basics.
Reid’s idea? Keep the number of stripes on the American flag at thirteen to honor the original colonies. Then, just add a new star to the blue canton whenever a new state joined.
Congress loved it.
They passed the Flag Act of 1818 on April 4th. This law is why the flag looks the way it does today. It dictated that the thirteen stripes would represent the original colonies: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
It’s kind of wild to think about. For a brief window of American history, the flag was literally growing in physical complexity every few years. We stopped the madness just in time. Honestly, can you imagine trying to sew a 50-stripe flag? My hands hurt just thinking about it.
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Why Red and White?
People love to assign deep, mystical meanings to colors. You've probably heard that red stands for blood and white stands for purity. Well, that’s partially true, but not in the way most people think.
When the flag was first designed in 1777, the Continental Congress didn't actually give the colors any official meaning. They just picked them. It wasn't until 1782, when the Great Seal of the United States was being designed, that Charles Thomson (the Secretary of the Continental Congress) assigned meanings to the colors for the seal.
According to Thomson:
- White signifies purity and innocence.
- Red signifies hardiness and valor.
- Blue (the color of the Chief) signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
Since the flag used the same colors, those meanings just naturally migrated over. It’s a bit of retrofitted symbolism, but it works. The red stripes provide a high-contrast visibility that was essential for naval signaling and battlefield identification. Functionality came before philosophy.
The Layout You Never Noticed
Next time you see a flag, look at how the stripes meet the blue canton.
The top stripe is red. The bottom stripe is red. Because there are seven red stripes and six white ones, the red stripes "bookend" the flag. This isn't just an accident. Having a dark color at the top and bottom edges helps define the shape of the flag against the sky or a building.
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Also, look at where the blue section (the union) ends. It stops exactly at the bottom of the seventh stripe. It’s perfectly aligned. This mathematical precision is what makes the flag look "balanced" even though it’s asymmetrical.
Common Misconceptions About the Stripes
One big myth is that the stripes are meant to represent the British flag in some way. Nope. While we definitely took inspiration from British maritime ensigns (like the Red Ensign), the thirteen stripes were a very intentional "breakup" text to the Crown. We were defining ourselves as thirteen united entities, not one colony.
Another weird one? People think the stripes have changed size over time. Technically, the proportions were standardized by Executive Order 10834 in 1959. President Eisenhower laid out the exact dimensions. Before that, flags were a bit of a "choose your own adventure" situation. You’d see flags with different shades of blue, different star patterns, and stripes that were slightly wider or narrower depending on who was at the sewing machine.
How to Respect the Thirteen
Since the number of stripes on the American flag is a tribute to the founders, there’s a whole set of rules—the U.S. Flag Code—on how to handle them.
You shouldn't let the stripes touch the ground. It’s not just a superstition; it’s about respect for the history those stripes represent. If a flag is so worn that the stripes are fraying or the colors are fading, the Code says it should be destroyed in a "dignified way," preferably by burning. Most VFW or American Legion posts will do this for you if you drop off an old flag.
Looking Forward: Will the Stripes Ever Change Again?
Probably not.
Even if Puerto Rico or Washington D.C. becomes the 51st state, the stripes are safe. We’ve learned our lesson from 1818. We would just add a 51st star to the blue field. There are already several designs ready to go for 51, 52, or even 60 stars. But the thirteen stripes are the anchor. They are the "permanent" part of the American story.
The history of the flag is basically a history of the country’s growth spurts. We started as thirteen, tried to grow the whole thing at once, realized that was unsustainable, and found a way to honor our past while making room for the future.
Actionable Steps for Flag Enthusiasts
- Check your proportions: If you’re buying a flag, ensure it follows the 1.9 to 1 ratio (length to width). Cheap knock-offs often get the dimensions wrong, making the stripes look "squat."
- Inspect for wear: Look at the "fly end" (the part that whips in the wind). If the red and white stripes are starting to separate or fray, it’s time for a repair or a retirement.
- Proper Lighting: If you fly the stripes at night, the law says they must be illuminated. A simple solar spotlight from a hardware store does the trick.
- Study the 15-stripe version: Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in D.C. to see the actual Star-Spangled Banner. Seeing those two "extra" stripes in person really puts the 1818 design change into perspective.