The flag of the United States of America, also known as the "Stars and Stripes," features thirteen horizontal stripes of equal width in red and white colors. The top left corner of the flag contains a blue rectangle, called the union, which includes 50 white stars representing the 50 states of the United States.
The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain in 1776 and became the first states in the United States. The red stripes symbolize valor and bravery, while the white stripes represent purity and innocence. The blue color of the union represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
The current design of the flag was adopted on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States. The ratio of the width to the length of the flag is 1:1.9. The design and colors of the flag have been modified several times over the years, but the basic pattern has remained the same.