Why does the American flag have 13 stripes?

The 13 stripes on the American flag represent the original 13 colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became the first states in the United States. These colonies were instrumental in the founding of the nation, and the stripes serve as a tribute to their unity and importance in American history. Each stripe is a reminder of the collective effort of these colonies to establish a new nation grounded in the principles of freedom and self-governance. This connection to the founding is fundamental to understanding the symbolism of the flag and highlights the historical significance of those early states in shaping the country.