There are nine offset horizontal rows of stars on the American flag representing all the US states.
The national flag of the United States of America, also known as the American flag or the U.S. flag, is composed of thirteen equal horizontal red (top and bottom) and white (alternating) stripes. In the blue canton, known as the "union," are fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, with rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars. The flag's 13 stripes and 50 stars each stand for the thirteen British colonies that proclaimed their independence from Great Britain to become the country's initial states. The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and the Star-Spangled Banner are some of the nicknames for the flag.
Neither the constellation arrangement nor the dimensions of the flag were established prior to the Executive Order of June 24, 1912. As a result, flags made before this time may have peculiar star configurations and sizes since these details were up to the flag maker's taste. However, the majority of the time, straight rows of stars and dimensions that were eventually formally approved were used.
The American flag's current design is the 27th formal change to the original design since 1777. Before the 49-star version was made official on July 4, 1959, the 48-star flag was in use for 47 years. On August 21, 1959, President Eisenhower issued an order for the 50-star flag, which became official in July 1960. Having been in use for more than 62 years, it is the American flag that has seen the most use.
The placement of the stars was mandated by an Executive Order signed by President Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, which called for nine rows of stars to be staggered horizontally and eleven rows to be staggered vertically.
