How many stripes are on the flag and what do they represent?

The flag has 13 stripes, and these stripes represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. Each stripe symbolizes one of the colonies: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. This design serves as a historical acknowledgment of the nation's founding, as these colonies were the initial states that formed the United States. The stripes alternate between red and white, with red symbolizing valor and bravery, while white represents purity and innocence, further enriching the flag’s meaning and connection to the nation’s history.