Why does the American flag have 50 stars?

The American flag features 50 stars to represent each of the 50 states in the United States. This design reflects the country's structure as a federation of individual states, each with its own government and representation within the federal system. Each star symbolizes the equality of states in the union, signifying that all states have the same rights and place within the national framework. The stars are arranged in nine rows of alternating five and six stars; this arrangement has become a hallmark of the flag's design.

Other options reflect misunderstandings of the flag's symbolism. The original colonies were only 13, not 50, and the amendments pertain to changes in the Constitution rather than the number of states. States' rights is a concept related to federalism and governance, but it is not directly represented by the number of stars on the flag. The 50 stars specifically denote the current composition of the Union as it stands today.