1846 ...X...to Today

The 28-Star Flag of the United States
A new state, TEXAS, a new flag
(1846)

“Once Texas was annexed: Sam Houston was elected United States Senator; Mirabeau Lamar was elected to the Texas House of Representatives; Jane Long prospered as Texan, innkeeper, plantation owner, rancher, cotton farmer under the new flag of the United States of America, the Stars and Stripes, which in 1846 added a twenty-eighth star for the State of Texas.” – page 181, Texas Sinners and Revolutionaries, Jane Long and Her Fellow Conspirators by Jack C. Ramsay, Jr.

note: January 20. 2005, for the second inauguration of George Walker Bush as President of the United States, the 28-Star Flag of The U.S., with its 28th star for Texas, was clearly seen to the left of the back of the President and the 50-Star flag clearly waving to the right of his back, as the oath of office was administered.

© - Copyright, Jack C. Ramsay, Jr. 2001

The 28-Star Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1846. A star was added for the admission of the 28th State, Texas, which had become a part of the United States on December 29, 1845. This flag with four rows of seven stars was the official flag of the United States for only one year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849).

According to “The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2000”:

“The flag of 1777 was used until 1795. Then, on the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the Union, Congress passed, and President Washington signed, an act that after May 1, 1795, the flag should have 15 stripes, alternating red and white, and 15 white stars on a blue field.

“When new states were admitted, it became evident that the flag would become burdened with stripes. Congress thereupon ordered that after July 4, 1818, the flag should have 13 stripes, symbolizing the 13 original states; that the union have 20 stars, and that whenever a new state was admitted a new star should be added on the July 4 following admission. No law designates the permanent arrangement of the stars. However, since 1912, when a new state has been admitted, the new design has been announced by executive order. No star is specifically identified with any state.”