Flag of the United States (15 Stars and Stripes, 1812-1818) | Historical U.S. Flag #3360405 (License: Personal Use)

This version of the American flag features 15 stars arranged in five rows of three, representing the 15 states admitted by 1812, and 15 horizontal stripes reflecting the original colonies plus Vermont and Kentucky. It was officially adopted on July 4, 1812, and remained in use until 1818, when Congress passed the Flag Act restoring 13 stripes and adding a star for each new state. Notably, this design inspired Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner” during the Battle of Fort McHenry in 1814.

Used in historical exhibits, educational content about early U.S. history, military museums, and articles covering the War of 1812 or flag evolution; matches user intent for research, teaching, or patriotic commemoration.