The Star Spangled Banner, the American Flag, the Old Glory – these are some of the references attributed to the national emblem of the United States of America. Consisting of the thirteen red and white stripes, plus a field of blue filled with fifty stars, almost everyone who has come across this emblem recognizes the nation it symbolizes. The fifty stars in the upper left corner are attributed to the fifty states which comprise the nation, and each of these has its own state flag.
The original American flag only had thirteen stars as it was attributed to the first set of colonies which joined the call for independence of British rule. From 1777 to 1795, as the sovereign of the American nation was recognized across the globe, the flag evolved to add more and more stars as new states were created and added.
Each of these states has their own set of emblems, insignias, and designs on their respective state flags. Having their own sets of history and embodiment of either ideals or strengths, each state flag carries a distinct identity, which may be similar with others, but still hold on their own. Nevertheless, these state flags fall under the common ideals of liberty and justice for all Americans governed by the national flag.
Officially and legally classified as secondary next to the American flag, state flags should be hoisted never above the national flag at any time, nor should these hoisted down after the national emblem. It should remain at least a little lower than the level of the American flag, and should be put down and folded up first.