| Apart from the national flag, often called the "stars | | | | formed. |
| and stripes" or "the old glory," there are U.S. State | | | | The District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.--the capital |
| flags. All the fifty States of the United States have | | | | of the U.S.--has a separate flag, which consists of |
| State flags pronouncing their individual identities. | | | | three stars and two stripes, all red, in a white |
| The State flags are second only to the flag of the | | | | background and set in a rectangle. Puerto Rico, a |
| United States of America, which is the national flag. | | | | Commonwealth associated with the U.S., has another |
| The State flags tell the story of the evolution, glory, | | | | flag. |
| power and prestige of the States. | | | | Apart from all these, we have U.S. Air Force Flag, U.S. |
| The stars of the national flag represented the | | | | Army Flag, U.S. Marine Corps Flag and the U.S. Service |
| number of States. From 1777 to 1795, there were | | | | Flag. The Department of Defense has authorized the |
| only thirteen stars, as there were only thirteen | | | | Service Flag as an official banner that can be used |
| States. As more States came into being, more stars | | | | for display by families who have members serving in |
| were added. The number of stars increased | | | | the Armed Forces during a war or while the U.S. is |
| corresponding to the number of States added. All the | | | | engaged in hostilities; it can be displayed during the |
| States formed their own flags as these were | | | | duration of such hostilities. |