A RARE One-Year Nice 49 Star United States Flag in good to very good condition with some wear and minimal fraying. Measures __x__. On January 3rd, 1959, the 49 star flag became the official flag of the United States. Alaska was the 49th state formally granted statehood under an Executive order by President Eisenhower (January 3rd, 1959). The additional star provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically. The 49-flag flew for only one year, and it was flown only under President Eisenhower.