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United States of America

Last modified: 2003-03-01 by rick wyatt
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[U.S. flag] by Conrad Suckow, 8 August 1999
Flag adopted 4 July 1960, coat of arms adopted 20 June 1782.
ColorShades



See also:


In 1960, a star was added, representing Hawaii, bringing the total number of stars to 50. There are thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.

According to President Dwight Eisenhower's Executive Order (#10834, published 25 August, 1959) the 50-Star flag would become the "official flag of the United States on July 4, 1960."
Nick Artimovich, 21 February 1996


What Shade of Red/White/Blue

The official regulation, which I just tracked down at the Defense Technology Information Center website http://www.dtic.mil is General Services Administration "Federal Specification, Flag, National, United States of America and Flag, Union Jack," DDD-F-416E, dated November 27, 1981. It specifies the colors by reference to "Standard Color Cards of America" maintained by the Color Association of the United States, Inc. These are:
      Cable No. 70180    Old Glory Red
      Cable No. 70001    White
      Cable No. 70075    Old Glory Blue
Joe McMillan, 25 January 2000

Old Glory Red (PMS 193C), White, and Old Glory Blue (PMS 281C)


National Colors

[National Color - Army/Air Force Version] by Joe McMillan, 7 November 2000
Army and Air Force version

[National Color - Army/Air Force Version] by Joe McMillan, 7 November 2000
Coast Guard and Marine Corps and Navy version

Usage: This version of the U.S. National Flag, called the National Color, is used on parade and for indoor display with all other types of Army flags and colors. For example, all regiments, battalions of regiments and separate battalions are authorized a "stand of colors"--the National Color and their Organizational Color. The dimensions are 3' at the hoist by 4' on the fly with 2 1/2" yellow fringe, i.e. the same as for Army flags and colors. (For display with larger size Army flags and colors, e.g. the Organizational Color of the U.S. Corps of Cadets, dimensions are 4'4" at the hoist by 5'6" on the fly with 2 1/2" yellow fringe.)
Tom Gregg, 30 September 1998

The sea services use a national color without fringe, generally 52x66 inches, with red, white, and blue cord and tassels.
Joe McMillan, 6 September 1999