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

The correct answer is that the 13 stripes on the U.S. flag represent the 13 original colonies. These colonies declared independence from Great Britain in 1776, and they formed the foundation of what would become the United States. The stripes are a tribute to this foundational aspect of American history, signifying unity and the collective effort of these colonies to break free from colonial rule.

While the founding of the United States involved various figures, often referred to as the Founding Fathers, this is not the significance of the stripes. The 13 amendments option does not apply here, as the first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified later and do not have a direct relationship with the number of stripes on the flag.