13 because of the 13 colonies that were first settled in america. First the flag had 13 stars in a circle and 13 stripes but then when the U.S.A. got 50 states, the stars turned from 13 all the way to 50.So now the flag has 50 states of how many states there are NOW.But the 13 stripes helps us remember how many states we had BEFORE. luv_greenday_person · 10 years ago. Thumbs up. 0.irst the flag had 13 stars in a circle and 13 stripes but then when the U.S.A. got 50 states, the stars turned from 13 all the way to 50. So now the flag has 50 states of how many states there are NOW. But the 13 stripes helps us remember how many states we had BEFORE. luv_greenday_person · 10 years ago. Thumbs up. 0.