Why does the U.S. flag have 13 stripes?

The U.S. flag features 13 stripes to represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. These colonies—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island—formed the foundation of the United States. This design choice was made to honor the historical significance of the colonies in the nation’s founding and is a lasting tribute to their role in establishing American independence. Each stripe alternates in red and white, symbolizing the sacrifices made by those early colonists for freedom and self-governance. Understanding this context enriches the significance of the stripes on the flag within American history.