The U.S. flag is named as 'stars and stripes'.
The most popular story states 'stars and stripes' was designed by Betsy Ross of Philadelphia. But there is no strong evidence about this.
The U.S. flag has been changed 26 times since first introduced. The first official flag that is recognized by historians is the Grand Union that was released on January 1, 1776.Grand Union consists of 13 line drawings plus white and red Union Jack (British flag) located at the top left.
A year later on June 14, 1777, Congress decided that the U.S. flag has 13 lines with 13 stars.In 1795, two stars and the line was added after the Kentucky and Vermont became part of the United States.
In 1818, the number of stars increased to 20 after more and more regions joined the United States.
It was decided that the line will remain 13 to symbolize the 13 states of the earliest to join the U.S., while the number of stars can be added.In 1819, following the Illinois joined with the U.S.. At the time California joined, the number of stars has been increased to 31.
When the Civil War broke out, on the orders of President Lincoln, the number of stars on the flag remained the same although some states intend to secede.
In 1890, the number of stars has risen to 43 after Washington, North Dakota and South Dakota join.
In 1912, New Mexico and Arizona became part of the United States and increase the number of stars to 48.
In 1959, another star was added after Alaska became part of the United States. The next year (1960), Hawaii made a star on the flag of the United States into 50 pieces.
