Why does the American flag have 13 stripes?

The American flag features 13 stripes to symbolize the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. These colonies were Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Each stripe represents one of these colonies, acknowledging their role in the foundation of the United States.

This historical significance is an important aspect of American identity and heritage, reflecting the origins of the nation and the unity of those first colonies in their quest for independence. The modern flag also includes 50 stars, which represent the current states, but the stripes specifically pay homage to the country's beginnings.