Changes

[[image:USflag.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States flag being flown.]]

[[image:USflag.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The United States flag being flown.]]

The '''American flag''', often affectionately known as "Old Glory" or the "Stars and Stripes", consists of a blue field with 50 white stars on it (one for each [[state]]), with the remainder being thirteen red and white stripes (in memory of the original thirteen states).

The '''American flag''', often affectionately known as "Old Glory" or the "Stars and Stripes", consists of a blue field with 50 white stars on it (one for each [[state]]), with the remainder being thirteen stripes (7 red and 6 white), in memory of the original thirteen states.

Since the stars reflect the number of states in the US, the flag has changed as the number of states has changed. Originally, the flag contained thirteen stars arranged in a circle.  The current fifty stars are arranged in five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars.  There are  seven red and six white stripes.

Since the stars reflect the number of states in the US, the flag has changed as the number of states has changed. Originally, the flag (as produced by Betsy Ross) contained thirteen stars arranged in a circle.  The current fifty stars are arranged in five rows of six stars alternating with four rows of five stars.

It is displayed at all [[federal]] buildings, and many homes and businesses also proudly display it.

It is displayed at all [[federal]] buildings, and many homes and businesses also proudly display it.

== Flag Code ==

== Flag Code ==

The '''United States Flag Code''' (title 4, chapter 1 of the [[United States Code]]) is a [[law]] which describes the official appearance of the Flag of the United States and how it should be handled. The US Flag Code is purely descriptive, and does not include any provisions for enforcement outside of the [[District of Columbia]].

The '''United States Flag Code''' (title 4, chapter 1 of the [[United States Code]]) is a [[law]] which describes the official appearance of the Flag of the United States and how it should be handled. The US Flag Code is purely descriptive, and does not include any provisions for enforcement outside of the [[District of Columbia]].