Why does the U.S. flag have 50 stars?

The U.S. flag features 50 stars, with each star representing one of the 50 states in the United States. This design was adopted to symbolize the unity of all the states within the federation, marking their equal status in relation to the federal government. As states have been added to the Union over time, the flag has changed to include a star for each new state, reflecting the evolving nature of the country.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the meaning behind the stars on the flag. For instance, while the U.S. does have territories, the stars specifically correspond to states, not territories. The display of national pride is undoubtedly a reason people cherish the flag, but it does not explain the specific design of the stars. Lastly, the stars do not represent the military branches; instead, there are distinct symbols and flags for each branch of the military. Thus, the only correct explanation for the 50 stars is that they represent the 50 individual states of the United States.