a) Circle of 13 stars

Early American flags featured a design of a circle of 13 stars, representing unity among the original colonies. This symbolic arrangement signified the colonies’ equal status and cooperative spirit in the fight for independence from Britain. The circular design was a powerful visual representation of the new nation’s ideals of unity and equality. The 13 stars, appearing on flags like the Betsy Ross flag, have become an enduring symbol of the American Revolution and the foundational values of the United States.

Betsy Ross is credited with crafting the initial version of the American flag. According to popular legend, Ross, an upholsterer from Philadelphia, was commissioned by George Washington to create the first flag in 1776. The design featured thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen stars in a circle on a blue field, symbolizing the unity of the thirteen colonies. While the historical accuracy of this story is debated, the Betsy Ross flag has become an enduring symbol of the American Revolution and the nation’s founding.