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Stripes: Exploring the Fascinating History and Symbolism of the American Flag The American Flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes, is an emblem of freedom and patriotism for the United States. It is a simple design, consisting of 50 stars and 13 stripes, but the symbolism behind the flag runs deep. In this article, we'll explore the history and meaning of the 15 stripes of the American flag. The original United States flag had 13 stripes, representing the 13 British colonies that declared independence from Britain in 1776. The thirteen stripes are alternating red and white, with a blue field in the upper left corner containing 50 white stars representing the 50 states. However, during the War of 1812, the United States realized that 13 stripes were not enough. The country had grown to include more states, and the navy needed a specific flag that would distinguish its ships from those of other nations. In 1818, Congress passed a law allowing for the addition of one star and one stripe for each new state admitted to the Union. The flag we know today has 50 stars and 13 stripes, but the design with 15 stripes was used for a short time, from 1795 to 1818. The additional two stripes were added to represent Kentucky and Vermont, the two newly admitted states in 1792 and 1791 respectively. The 15 stripes design also had significance in terms of maritime law. Ships sailing under the United States flag with 15 stripes were granted special protection in foreign ports, as they were considered to be official U.S. vessels. This privilege was later extended to ships flying the 13 stripes design as well. In conclusion, the history and symbolism of the American flag are rich and complex, and the 15 stripes design is just one small part of that story. Although it was eventually abandoned in favor of the 13 stripes design, it remains an important piece of American history and a symbol of the country's growth and strength.