Why does the American flag have 13 stripes?

The American flag features 13 stripes to symbolize the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776. These colonies—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island—formed the foundation of the United States. The use of stripes not only honors these original colonies but also serves as a reminder of the unity and collective struggle for independence that they shared. The number of stripes has remained constant since the flag's adoption, reflecting a significant part of American history and identity. The other options do not accurately reflect the historical context behind the stripes; for instance, while there have been 13 amendments, they are not related to the design of the flag, and the flag does not represent current states or colonies before independence in that specific manner.