Stars and Stripes history

31, 1864, and the 36th star on the United States flag the following July.

A modification of that design was adopted on March 4, 1865, about a month before the end of the war.

After the Civil War, rapid economic development accelerated by the growth of railroads helped speed Nebraska's admission to the Union on March 1, 1867, becoming the nation's 37th state and the 37th star on the flag.

In 1870, Betty Ross’ Grandson was addressing an Historic society in Philadelphia and said that his grandmother told him that she met with George Washington and others and she designed the flag.

A flurry of state admissions boosted the star total on the flag to 43 by July 4, 1890, as statehood filled out the United States in the high plains and the far west.

Since 1892, millions of children have recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at the start of each school day, and the lyrics of the national anthem are also concerned with the flag.

4, 1896, and the 45th star on the flag later that year.

16, 1907, taking its place on the United States flag as the 46th star the following year.

Stars and Stripes was revived in World War I. The first edition appeared February 8, 1918, in Paris.

Many changes have occurred since 1942—but the mission of providing independent news and information to the military community continues to be the primary purpose.

The Pacific edition was launched a week after VE day (Victory in Europe, May 8, 1945) and became the forerunner of the Pacific Stars and Stripes.

Executive Order of President Eisenhower, August 21, 1959 provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

“…Stars and Stripes has admirably supported the concept that in a free society men have the right to be kept informed - adequately and impartially.” — President John F. Kennedy, 1962

After the United States Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that all flag desecration laws were unconstitutional, some veterans’ and patriotic groups pressured legislators to adopt laws or a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag desecration.

Stars and Stripes has published a newspaper continuously since World War II. Our unique military coverage first became available online in 1999.

At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Stars and Stripes began publishing a Mideast edition.

In May 2004 Stars and Stripes began offering its newspaper in a digital edition, available at stripes.com to anyone in the world with access to the Internet.

In 2012 Stars and Stripes began offering smartphone apps and today offers versatile iOS and Android apps that works equally well on phone and tablet devices.

In 2013, the paper faced job cuts, printing-schedule changes, a pay-raise freeze and travel limitations for staff under the Federal budget sequestration.