The flag of the United States of America (USA) consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white and a blue retangle in the canton bearing fifty small white stars with five points arranged in nine horizontal rows where rows of six stars alternate with rows of five stars. The thirteen stars on the USA flag represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and become the founding states of the USA in 1776. The fifty stars on the USA flag represent the 50 current day states of the USA.
The USA flag is often referred to as the "Stars and Stripes" or the "Star-Spangled Banner".
The present day design of the USA flag is the 27th version of the flag since 1777. The current 50 star version of the flag was adopted in 1960 and is the longest used version of the USA flag, having been in use for 60 years.
The USA flag is seen as a symbol of national pride and character and is commonly displayed outside both public and private buildings. The flag is also commonly replicated on decals for car windows, clothing and badges.
The USA flag was famously planted on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission of 1969.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin alongside the USA flag during the moon landing of 1969