Centennial American Procession Flag.

Item Number: 109684

Rare Centennial American Procession flag bearing a unique decorative 81-star pattern arranged to read “1776 1876.” The 38 stars comprising ‘1776’ represent Colorado, which was admitted into the Union on August 1, 1876. In near fine condition with some fraying to the top of the flag. The flag measures 45.5 inches by 28.25 inches. Scarce. Flags with this decorative star pattern are seldom seen.

One of the nation's most widely recognized symbols, the flag of the United States of America has been officially modified a total of 26 times since its first appearance in 1777. The flag's initial design, bearing thirteen stars and thirteen stripes, has been credited to several historic figures including naval flag designer Francis Hopkinson, Elizabeth "Betsy" Ross, and flagmaker Rebecca Young. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." Tradition holds that the new flag was first hoisted on June 14th, 1777 by the Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment, the date is now celebrated as Flag Day.