Why does the flag have 50 stars?

The flag features 50 stars to represent the 50 states that make up the United States. Each star symbolizes one state, reflecting the nation's growth and the incorporation of each state into the Union. The arrangement of stars has evolved over time as new states were admitted; the current design with 50 stars was adopted on July 4, 1960, following Hawaii's admission as the last state. This design choice emphasizes the importance of each state's equal status within the federal system and signifies unity among the states. Other options refer to historical contexts or numbers that do not align with the flag's representation of current states.