2025 civics test · Question 121 of 128 · Symbols★ 65/20 question
Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
In Chinese 为什么国旗上有 13 道条纹？
Official answers
- (Because there were) 13 original colonies（因为当初有）13 个殖民地
- (Because the stripes) represent the original colonies（因为条纹）代表最初的殖民地
Any one of these answers is accepted unless the question asks for more than one.
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Why this is the answer
The American flag has 13 red and white stripes because the United States began as 13 original colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776 and became the first 13 states. The number of stripes has stayed at 13 to honor them, while stars are added as new states join. Remember: stripes = original colonies, stars = states.