What do the stripes on the U.S. flag represent?

The stripes on the U.S. flag represent the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. Each of the 13 stripes symbolizes one of the colonies: Virginia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maryland, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. This design serves as a reminder of the nation’s foundational history and the struggle for independence that the colonies undertook.

While the number of stars represents the 50 states, the stripes specifically commemorate the original colonies, thus reinforcing the flag’s connection to the nation’s beginnings. Understanding this historical significance is crucial as it highlights the country’s evolution from those first colonies to the diverse union it is today.