The United States flag has 13 red-and-white stripes.
The stripes represent the thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became the original states of the United States. They alternate between seven red stripes and six white stripes. This symbolism has remained even as the number of stars changed with the admission of new states.
The Continental Congress adopted the first official national flag resolution on June 14, 1777. It specified thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. The resolution did not prescribe a particular arrangement for the stars, so early flags varied in appearance.
The flag’s 13 stripes are distinct from its stars. The stars represent the states in the Union and increased from 13 to 50 as the country expanded. The current 50-star flag was adopted after Hawaii became a state in 1959 and first became official on July 4, 1960. Flag Day is observed annually on June 14, the anniversary of the 1777 resolution.