The design of the American flag as we know it today has deep historical roots, particularly involving Betsy Ross and the symbolism of stars.

Originally, a six-pointed star was favored, but Betsy Ross proposed the now-familiar five-pointed star. This led to the current design with each star symbolizing a state.

The Civil War era marked significant events for the flag, particularly during the bombardment of Fort Sumter in 1861, where Col. Robert Anderson and his troops saved the flag while abandoning the fort.

This act led to a rally in Manhattan that motivated citizens to support the Union. As states joined the Union, new stars were added to the flag.

During the Civil War, New York State began to collect battle flags from its regiments, amassing nearly 1,000 flags by 1865, which are now housed in the New York State Capitol, showcasing the historical significance of these symbols of American unity.

Check out what some of the different versions of the flag looked like by watching the video of NewsChannel 13 photojournalist Justin Shumway’s story.