Thirteen stripes - The number of stripes, or bars, symbolize the original thirteen colonies that formed the United States of America. One official version of the flag, adopted in 1795 allowed for fifteen bars when Vermont and Kentucky were admitted to the Union, but officials soon realized that adding a new stripe for each new state wasn't sustainable. Ironically, although the version with fifteen stripes and fifteen stars lasted a relatively short period of time - 23 years, it did leave an indelible impression on American culture and patriotism.

In September of 1814 Francis Scott Key, a poet and lawyer, accompanied an American Prisoner Exchange Agent aboard the British Ship HMS Tonnant. The two were meeting with three British generals to negotiate the release of an American captured during earlier fighting of the War of 1812. The prisoner was released and Key and his companion were allowed to leave the British vessel. However, since the British were bombing Ft. McHenry on the night of September 13-14 the two were not allowed back into Baltimore harbor.

After the smoke cleared on the morning of the 14th, Key saw the American flag still flying in the harbor and composed a poem. That poem was later set to the tune of a "To Anacreon in Heaven" and became "The Star Spangled Banner", our national anthem.

Today's flag includes thirteen alternating stripes, with red on the top and bottom. In addition to commemorating the thirteen original colonies, the stripes are said to represent rays of the sun.

Fifty stars - Stars were chosen to fill the blue field or union because they symbolize heaven. The fifty, white, five-pointed stars symbolize the 50 states admitted to the Union. Early versions of the flag had 5 or 6 pointed stars arranged in rows or circles. Today's arrangement was adopted on July 4, 1960 after Hawaii was admitted to the union. The stars are arranged in staggered rows alternating between 6 and 5 per row.

Flag colors - Although the colors of the flag are used frequently in contemporary culture, there does not appear to be official symbolic reasons why red, white and blue were first select. In all likelihood, the colors were carried over from the Grand Union Flag and flag of the British East India Company. The qualities ascribed to the flags colors today probably come from adoption n of the Great Seal of 1782 with white signifying purity and innocence, red valor and bravery and blue vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Exact proportional dimensions of today's flag were established in 1960 and can be found in any number of documents. You can purchase an American flag kit from several sources, as well as an appropriate pole to fly the flag. The overall size of a flag varies by its use, but is intended to be proportional to the height of the pole from which it flies.