The impracticability of adding a stripe for each state was apparent as other states began to be admitted. Moreover, the flag of fifteen stripes, it was thought, did not properly represent the Union; therefore, on April 14, 1818, after a period of twenty-one years in which the flag of fifteen stripes had been used, Congress passed an act which finally fixed the general flag of our country, which reads as follows:
An Act to Establish the Flag of the United States.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted, etc.. That from and after the fourth day of July next, the flag of the United States be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; that the union have twenty stars, white in a blue field.
Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, that, on the admission of every new state into the union, one star be added to the union of the flag; and that such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July succeeding such admission.
Flag Day
June 14th, the anniversary of the adoption of the flag, is celebrated as flag day in many of our states.
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In order to show proper respect for the flag, the following rules should be observed:
It should not be hoisted before sunrise nor allowed to remain up after sunset.
At "retreat," sunset, civilian spectators should stand at attention and give the military salute.