What is the significance of the 50 stars on the U.S. flag?

The significance of the 50 stars on the U.S. flag is that they represent the 50 states that make up the United States of America. Each star symbolizes one state, reflecting the unity and equality of each state within the nation. This design highlights the federal structure of the U.S. government, where each state holds a significant role in the national framework. The flag has evolved over time, adding stars as new states were admitted into the Union, with the current design featuring stars for each state since Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959.

The other options presented refer to different concepts that do not align with the traditional interpretation of the flag's symbolism. For instance, while there are capitals and territories, they are not represented by the stars on the flag, and the number of amendments does not correspond to the number of states either. This clarity on the flag's meaning reinforces the importance of state representation as a core aspect of American identity.