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United States Title 4 Section 1

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The exact language of the statute is as follows:

TITLE 4 - FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES

CHAPTER 1 - THE FLAG

Sec. 1. Flag; stripes and stars on

The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars, white in a blue field. (July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642.)

Sec. 2. Same; additional stars

On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission. (July 30, 1947, ch. 389, 61 Stat. 642.)

That is all that is said. All other details of the flag are dealt with by Executive Order. This orders is only binding on the Executive Department of the federal government. It has no binding effect on any civilian, or, for that matter, on any other department of the federal government, nor on any State governments or their subdivisions. the text of the Executive order may be seen here .

Devereaux Cannon, 5 February 1998