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# 33 Star Flag - (1859-1861) (U.S.)

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Last modified: 2026-05-23 by rick wyatt
Keywords: thirty-three | united states | great star |
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image by Clay Moss, 14 February 2007

- Description of the flag
- Jack
- Fort Sumter flag
- Great Star design
- Circular Constellation design
- Global Star Pattern
- Kansas "Admit Me Free" flag

See also:

- History of the Stars and Stripes
- U.S. Historical flags
- United States of America

## Description of the flag

In 1859, one star was added, representing Oregon, bringing the total number of stars to 33. There were thirteen stripes representing the thirteen original colonies.
Rick Wyatt, 5 April 1998

This flag from 4 July, 1859, to 3 July, 1861.
Clay Moss, 14 February 2007

## Jack

image by Clay Moss, 14 February 2007

## Great Star Design

image by Blas Delgado Ortiz, 13 August 2001

This printed silk, made in 1859, evidences the continued popularity of the "Great Star" pattern on the eve of the Civil War.
Blas Delgado Ortiz, 27 July 2001

## Circular Constellation design

image located by William Garrison, 19 October 2025

From https://historical.ha.com

U.S., 33-Star Constellation parade flag. 9" x 6" coarsely woven cotton flag with 33-stars in a medallion pattern, active from February 14, 1859 to January 29, 1861
William Garrison, 19 October 2025

## Global Star Pattern

image located by William Garrison, 24 April 2026

From https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintageflags

U.S., 33-star flag in a "Global Star Pattern" variation; size: 2'x3'. This particular flag was once part of the famous Mastai collection of antique flags featured in their 1973 book "The Stars and the Stripes."
William Garrison, 24 April 2026

## Kansas "Admit Me Free" flag

image located by William Garrison, 7 April 2026

From https://www.kansashistory.gov/kansapedia/admit-me-free-flag/10172

Kansas "Admit Me Free" flags showed support for a "free-state" (anti-slavery) Kansas. This one flew over a Pennsylvania rally in 1856. In 1856, there were only 31 states in the Union. In the presidential elections of 1856 and 1860, the issue of Kansas statehood was prominent. Flags stating "Admit Me Free" were used by the Republican candidates, John C. Frémont and Abraham Lincoln, indicating their support for a non-slave owning, free-state Kansas. This flag originally was used in a Republican campaign rally for Frémont in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1856. Four years later it was used at a rally for Lincoln. This flag currently is on display in the main gallery of the "Kansas Museum of History." Minnesota became the 32nd state on May 11, 1858. This 33-star flag touted Kansas to become the 33rd state, but it was beaten out when Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. Finally, Kansas was admitted as the 34th state on January 29, 1861, and five weeks later, Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as U.S. president on March 4, 1861. [34-star U.S. flags did not become "official" until July 4, 1861.]
William Garrison, 7 April 2026