The 13-Star Flag here displayed became the Official United States Flag on June 14, 1777, now commemorated as "Flag Day", by Act of Congress. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as the person responsible for its design. The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This flag was used for a period of 18 years, until 1795.

Each star and stripe represented one of the thirteen Colonies, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen Colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the Constitution and became a State.

• (1st) Delaware, December 7, 1787
• (2nd) Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787
• (3rd) New Jersey, December 18, 1787
• (4th) Georgia, January 2, 1788
• (5th) Connecticut, January 9, 1788
• (6th) Massachusetts, February 6, 1788
• (7th) Maryland, April 28, 1788
• (8th) South Carolina, May 23, 1788
• (9th) New Hampshire, June 21, 1788
• (10th) Virginia, June 25, 1788
• (11th) New York, July 25, 1788
• (12th) North Carolina, November 21, 1789
• (13th) Rhode Island, May 29, 1790