The 15-star, 15 stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding 2 stars and 2 stripes. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes. It was immortalized by Francis Scott Key during the bombardment of Fort McHenry, September 13, 1814. The image above is representative of the actual flag that flew over Fort McHenry on that day and which is now perserved in the Smithsonian Museum. You can notice the "tilt" in some of the stars just as in the original Star Spangled Banner.