<human>:  Explain the symbolism of the American Flag.
<bot>: The American Flag is one of the most potent and widely recognized symbols of America. It is usually referred to as the “Stars and Stripes” and consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars representing the fifty states of the union. The thirteen stripes represent the original thirteen colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and became the first states in the union. The stars signify a new nation taking its place among other sovereign states. The colors of the flag, white, red, and blue, were chosen to represent purity and innocence (white), courage and hardiness (red), and vigilance, perseverance, and justice (blue). Together, the flag is a powerful symbol of freedom, liberty, and pride for the United States.