A Complete Flag Source

The 24-star USA flag represents the admission of Illinois as the 24th state on Dec. 3, 1818. On July 4, 1822, the 24-star flag became the nation's standard. During the era of the 24-star flag the USA experienced important cultural and political developments, including the Era of Good Feelings, a time marked by a sense of national unity following the war of 1812. Like many other flags from this period the stars came in a variety of patters, from rows, circles and other unique patters.

The 23-star US flag represents an important moment of growth in early American history. it became official on July 4, 1820, following the admission of Mississippi as the 20th state, Illinois as the 22nd, and Maine as the 23rd. Like all US flags, stars were only added on the Fourth of July after a state joined the Union, making the 23-star flag a symbol of westward expansion and a young nation finding its identity.

Although it was the official flag for just one year before more states were added, the 23-star flag is closely tied to the post-war of 1812 period, a time of renewed national pride and unity.

The 20-star US flag was created to represent the admission of Mississippi as the 20th state on December 10, 1817. Under the law passed by congress in 1818, a new star was to be added to the flag for each new state on the Fourth of July following its admission, as a result, the 20-star flag officially became the National flag on July 4, 1818. However, it was never actually produced for official use because five states- Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi - had all joined the Union in rapid succession between 1796 and 1817. By the time the law took effect, the nation was ready to jump straight from the 15-star to the 20-star design, but almost immediately afterward Illinois joined the Union meaning there now needed to be 21 stars. Because of this timing, authentic 20-star flags are extremely rare and considered a "phantom" flag in American Vexillology.