Why does the U.S. flag have 50 stars?

The U.S. flag features 50 stars because each star represents one of the 50 states in the Union. This design reflects the United States' evolution as a nation, where states have joined over time, with the stars added for each new state. The current configuration of stars symbolizes the unity of all states and their equal status within the country.

While the original colonies played a crucial role in the nation's founding, the flag’s stars specifically represent the current states, making this answer more accurate. The concept of maximum states is not applicable since the Constitution does not limit the number of states, and the symbolic representation of states that joined the union is encompassed within the representation of the current 50 states.