Why does the American flag have 13 stripes?

The American flag features 13 stripes to represent the 13 original colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. These colonies—Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island—were the founding entities of the United States. This design element honors the nation's origins and the unity of these colonies in their quest for independence. Each stripe alternates in red and white, symbolizing the struggle for freedom and the shared heritage of the states that formed the Union.

The other options do not reflect historical facts related to the flag's design. The letters in "America" do not correlate with the number of stripes, the 13 amendments do not apply as there are more amendments than stripes, and while the U.S. government has multiple branches, the number 13 does not relate to this aspect of governance. Thus, the correct answer reflects a key historical fact about the flag's symbolism and the foundation of the United States.