Act to Alter the Flag

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Description

In 1776, the United States of America consisted of 13 states. This Act of Congress established a flag with 15 stripes that alternate red and white, and 15 white stars on a blue field. The 15 stars and stripes reflected the entry of Vermont and Kentucky as states in the Union. This act, approving a new flag, was signed into law by President George Washington.

Transcript

Third Congress of the United States

At the First Session

Begun and Held at the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday the Second of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Three.

An Act making an alteration in the Flag of the United States.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, In Congress Assembled, That from and after the first day of May Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety five, the Flag of the United States, be fifteen Stripes alternate red and blue. That the Union be fifteen Stars white in a blue field.

Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg Speaker of the House of Representatives.
John Adams Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Approved January the thirteenth 1794 George Washington. President of the United States.

Citation

This primary source comes from the General Records of the United States Government.

National Archives Identifier: 1501721

Full Citation: Act to Alter the Flag; 1/13/1794; Public Law, 3rd Congress, 1st Session: Alteration in the Flag of the United States, January 13, 1794; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789–2017; General Records of the United States Government, Record Group 11; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/act-to-alter-the-flag/, May 25, 2026]

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