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List of flags of the United States

Discoverer · ages 10+Adapted from Wikipedia
Historical flags of the United States of America

This is a list of flags in the United States describing the evolution of the flag of the United States. Over time, the design of the flag has changed to include stars representing each new state that joined the country. There are also special flags used by different governmental agencies, as well as flags for embassies and ships. These flags help show pride and represent different parts of the United States.

A 2.00 m × 1.70 m oil painting showing historical US flags.

National flags

Main article: Flag of the United States

Since 1818, each time a new state joined the United States, a star was added to the flag on the Fourth of July the following year. When many states joined at once, several stars were added. Usually, this was the only change made to the flag. Before 1912, the exact pattern of the stars was not fixed, so older flags had many different looks.

Here are some important flags from history:

  • 1775–1777 (the "Continental Union")
  • 1777–1795 (13 stars)
  • Betsy Ross circular 13-star version (1792)
  • "Hopkinson" version (1777–1795)
  • Battle of Bennington version (1777)
  • 1795–1818 (the "Star-Spangled Banner", 15 stars, 15 stripes)
  • 1818–1819 (20 stars)
  • 1819–1820 (21 stars)
  • 1820–1822 (23 stars)
  • 1822–1836 (24 stars)
  • 1836–1837 (25 stars)
  • 1837–1845 (26 stars)
  • 1845–1846 (27 stars)
  • 1846–1847 (28 stars)
  • 1847–1848 (29 stars)
  • 1848–1851 (30 stars)
  • 1851–1858 (31 stars)
  • 1858–1859 (32 stars)
  • 1859–1861 (33 stars)
  • 1861–1863 (34 stars)
  • 1863–1865 (35 stars)
  • 1865–1867 (36 stars)
  • 1867–1877 (37 stars)
  • 1877–1890 (38 stars)
  • 1890–1891 (43 stars)
  • 1891–1896 (44 stars)
  • 1896–1908 (45 stars)
  • 1908–1912 (46 stars)
  • 1912–1959 (48 stars)
  • 1959–1960 (49 stars)
  • 1960–present (50 stars)

Executive branch flags

The United States has many flags for different leaders and departments. These flags help show who is in charge and what group they belong to.

Office of the President

Office of the Vice President

Department of State

Department of the Treasury

Department of Defense

See also: Flags of the United States Armed Forces

Department of the Army

Army

Department of the Navy

Navy
Marine Corps

Department of the Air Force

Air Force
Space Force

National Guard Bureau

Civil Air Patrol

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. It has quasi-military organizational and rank structures modeled on those of the Air Force.

Department of Justice

Department of the Interior

Department of Agriculture

Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • Flag of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • Flag of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • Flag of the Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • Flag of an Associate Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps

Department of Labor

Department of Health and Human Services

United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Department of Transportation

Department of Energy

Department of Education

Department of Veterans Affairs

Department of Homeland Security

Coast Guard

Legislative branch flags

Congress

The legislative branch of the United States has several flags representing different parts of its work. There is a flag for the Senate, which is the part of Congress where each state has two representatives. There is also a flag for the House of Representatives, where each state has representatives based on its population. Other flags include those for the Capitol Police, which keeps the area safe, the Library of Congress, which holds many books and information, and the Government Accountability Office, which checks that government money is spent properly.

Other federal flags

Many groups and offices in the U.S. government have their own special signs, often called flags. These signs usually show the group's symbol on a plain background.

Flag of the [Central Intelligence Agency](/wiki/Central_Intelligence_Agency)

Flag of the [Environmental Protection Agency](/wiki/United_States_Environmental_Protection_Agency)

Flag of the [Federal Reserve](/wiki/Federal_Reserve_System)

Flag of the [Federal Trade Commission](/wiki/Federal_Trade_Commission)

Flag of the [National Aeronautics and Space Administration](/wiki/NASA)

Flag of the [National Science Foundation](/wiki/National_Science_Foundation)

Flag of the [Peace Corps](/wiki/Peace_Corps)

Flag of the [Securities and Exchange Commission](/wiki/U.S._Securities_and_Exchange_Commission)

Flag of the [Senior Executive Service](/wiki/Senior_Executive_Service)

Flag of the [Smithsonian Institution](/wiki/Smithsonian_Institution)

Flag of the [Social Security Administration](/wiki/Social_Security_Administration)

Flag of the [Tennessee Valley Authority](/wiki/Tennessee_Valley_Authority)

Flag of the [Intelligence Community](/wiki/United_States_Intelligence_Community)

Flag of the [United States Postal Inspection Service](/wiki/United_States_Postal_Inspection_Service)

Flag of the [United States Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board](/wiki/U.S._Chemical_Safety_Board)

Flag of the [United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General](/wiki/United_States_Postal_Service_Office_of_Inspector_General)

Flag of the [Federal Communications Commission](/wiki/Federal_Communications_Commission)

Flag of the [Supreme Court of the United States](/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States)

State and territory flags

Main article: Flags of the U.S. states and territories

The flags of the U.S. states, territories, and federal district show many different styles and designs, often reflecting local history and culture. Most state flags follow a similar pattern, showing the state's seal on a colored background, usually blue in different shades.

The newest state flag belongs to Minnesota, adopted on May 11, 2024, while the newest territorial flag is from the Northern Mariana Islands, adopted on July 1, 1985.

County flags

Main article: commons:Flags of counties of the United States

City flags

Main article: commons:Flags of cities of the United States

This section lists the flags of many cities in the United States. Each city has its own special flag that represents its unique identity and history.

Maritime flags

Ensigns

Main article: Ensign of the United States

National

Since 1777, the national ensign of the United States has also served as its national flag. The current version is shown below; for older designs, see the section above.

States

[Naval and Maritime Flag of Massachusetts](/wiki/Flag_of_Massachusetts)

[Merchant and Marine Flag of Maine](/wiki/Flag_of_Maine)

Other

 Ensign of the Coast Guard

Ensign of the [Power Squadrons](/wiki/United_States_Power_Squadrons)

[Yacht ensign](/wiki/Ensign_of_the_United_States#Yacht_ensign)
Jacks

Main article: Jack of the United States

 [Union Jack](/wiki/Jack_of_the_United_States) (state jack, 2002–present; naval and state jack, 1960–2002, 2019–present)

  • .svg)

    First Navy Jack (naval jack for all warships 1975–1976 & 2002–2019; for oldest commissioned warship 1980–present)

 [Naval Jack](/wiki/Jack_of_the_United_States) (circa 1776)

Distinctive marks

Main article: Distinctive mark

[Distinctive mark](/wiki/Distinctive_mark) of the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration)

Commissioning pennants

Main article: Commissioning pennant

 [Commissioning pennant](/wiki/Commissioning_pennant) of the [United States Navy](/wiki/United_States_Navy)

 Commissioning pennant of the [United States Coast Guard](/wiki/United_States_Coast_Guard)

Commissioning pennant of the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration) for Class I vessels

Commissioning pennant of the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration) for Class II, III, and IV vessels

Native American tribal flags

Further information: Flags of Native Americans in the United States on Wikimedia Commons

The United States is home to many Native American tribes, each with its own unique flag. These flags represent the heritage and identity of tribes such as the Arapaho, Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, and many more. Each flag has special meanings and symbols that are important to the tribe it represents.

Associated state flags

Some countries are close partners with the United States. Though they are independent and have seats at the United Nations, the United States helps protect them and gives them support.

These countries include:

Historical flags

Thirteen Colonies

Main article: Red Ensign

The United States has many flags that tell the story of its past. During the time of the Thirteen Colonies, different groups and leaders used their own special signs to show who they were.

American Revolutionary War

During the American Revolutionary War, many groups fought for independence. Some of the important flags from that time include:

Former federal flags

Over the years, the United States has had many flags for its leaders and agencies. Some of these include flags for the President, Vice President, and many different departments and services. Here are a few examples:

Other states

Some other places and groups in America also had their own flags. A few examples are:

Former territories and administered areas

The United States has also controlled many places around the world, each with its own flag. Some of these include:

Pictures

Official flag of the Defense Commissary Agency, representing its role in providing food services to military personnel and their families.
Official flag of the United States Southern Command, representing the military branch responsible for operations in the Southern Hemisphere.
The official flag of the Joint Special Operations Command, representing a branch of the United States military.
Official flag of the Director of Army Staff and Deputy and Assistant Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army.
A teal blue flag with yellow fringe and a centered military insignia, representing the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center.
A U.S. Army Medical Department Regimental flag featuring symbolic designs like stars, stripes, and an eagle, representing the history and mission of the Medical Department.
The official flag of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, featuring a blue field with a yellow fringe and the college's emblem.
Official flag of the U.S. Army Air Defense School, featuring symbolic designs and colors representing military heritage and service.
An official flag of the U.S. Army Adjutant General School, showcasing its unique heraldic design.
Official flag of the United States Department of the Treasury, featuring an eagle and anchor symbol.
The flag of the United States Central Command, representing one of the U.S. military's regional commands.
Official flag of the Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army, used to represent their role and authority.
Official flag of the United States Army Inspector General, symbolizing military oversight and responsibility.
A flag representing the US Army Infantry School, featuring a blue background with white text and a sword symbol.

Keep exploring

Flag of the United States
Brigadier general (United States)

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on List of flags of the United States, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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