One of two flags that flew from the locomotive of the Lincoln funeral train on the route between
Albany and Utica, New York.
Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of
the flag was prescribed. Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual
arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the
flag maker. In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later
adopted officially were used. The principal acts affecting the flag of the United States are the
following:
• Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777 - stated: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be
made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in
a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
• Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.
• Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to
the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state.
• Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912 - established proportions of the
flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a
single point of each star to be upward.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959 - provided for the
arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and
vertically.
• Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the
arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of
stars staggered vertically.