Third Flag Act
15 to 32 Stars
By 1818, five more states (Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi) were admitted to the Union. Southern and northern states were added in alternating order to preserve the Congressional balance of “slave” and “free” states.
After lengthy debate, Congress agreed on a Flag reverting to thirteen stripes. An additional star would be added for each new state, with the provision that the star would be added on the fourth of July following admission to the Union. If more than one state was admitted between July 5th and the following July 4th, the new stars would be added together on July 4th. While it was specified that the stripes were to be horizontal it did not identify a regulation for their colors or an arrangement for the stars. This allowed flag-makers to take liberty in their work and some included blue stripes in the design.
Between 1818 and the start of the Civil War in 1861, 13 more states were admitted to the Union, stretching from Florida to Maine to California. Texas, the 28th state was “annexed” rather than “admitted” to the Union in 1845.
The allegiance and passion toward the Flag continued to grow as it was displayed more across the nation. It was becoming the “fabric” of our nation.