Updated on November 6, 2025: This has been sold.
In excellent condition.
The 48-star flag was officially adopted in 1912 following the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union. It remained the official flag through WWI, WWII, and the Korean War, until Alaska gained statehood in 1959, adding the 49th star.
While cotton flags with sewn construction were seen before WWII, wool was the preferred fabric for long-term outdoor use due to its water-shedding properties. However, after 1945, the production of wool bunting flags declined in favor of cotton and cotton/synthetic blends that resisted moths while still shedding water.
Size: 5’ x 8'
Shipping: $20. Please allow one week for shipping.
The history behind the 48-star flag
"The number of stars on the American flag first grew to 48 in 1912 with the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. President William Howard Taft issued an Executive Order that year that formalized the appearance of the flag for the first time.
"The Order indicated that the stars were to be arranged in six horizontal rows of eight each. This flag was official for 47 years. During this time, the United States emerged from the Great Depression and World War II as one of the leading nations of the world. Eight Presidents served under the48-star flag; William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
"Perhaps the most notable 48-star flag was the World War II “Flag of Liberation.”
"On July 20, 1945, Presdient Truman stood at attention while the American flag was raised over the conquered city of Berlin. In fitting symbolism, this was the same flag that had flown over the United States Capitol on December 7, 1941—the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In Berlin that day, President Truman made a short speech, characteristically to the point. He said, in part:
"We are here today to raise the flag of victory over the capital of our greatest adversary. In doing that, we must remember that in raising that flag we are raising it in the name of the people of the United States, who are looking forward to a better world, a world in which all the people will have an opportunity to enjoy the good things in life, and not just a few at the top. Let us not forget that we are fighting for peace, and for the welfare of mankind. We are not fighting for conquest. There is not one piece of territory, or one thing of monetary nature that we want out of this war. We want peace and prosperity for the world as a whole. We want to see the time come when we can do the things in peace that we have been able to do in war."
Read more at the National Park Service website.
