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

The U.S. flag features 13 stripes to honor the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and formed the United States. These colonies—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island—played a crucial role in the founding of the nation. The stripes alternate between red and white, with the red symbolizing valor and bravery, and the white representing purity and innocence. This design element serves as a reminder of the country's history and the struggle for independence, maintaining a connection to the nation's origins.

The other options, while they reference significant aspects of U.S. history, do not accurately represent the reason for the 13 stripes. There are currently more than 13 states; the amendments do not correlate with the number of stripes; and while the founding fathers were essential in the nation's creation, their number does not relate to the flag's design.