Patriots used many different flags in the early battles of the war. Some flags had stars or stripes. Others had snakes or trees. George Washington's troops carried the Continental Colors. It was a flag with red and white stripes. The upper left corner was the British flag. It was not a proper flag for a country in revolt against Great Britain. America needed a new flag!

Congress passed its first flag law in June 1777. It said the flag should have 13 red and white stripes. It should also have 13 stars on a blue field. The law said nothing about the flag's size. The layout of stars and stripes was not defined.

We do not know who designed the first flag. Some think it was Betsy Ross. She was a Philadelphia seamstress. It is fairly certain that Francis Hopkinson worked on it. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey. He designed the Great Seal of America. He also played a role in designing America's new money.

The new flag's first use may have been at the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777. Today the flag is an important symbol of our country. Millions of students recite the pledge to the flag each day. America celebrates Flag Day on June 14th each year.