Why does the flag have 50 stars?

The flag has 50 stars because each star represents a state in the United States. The design symbolizes the union of the states, reflecting the growth of the nation over time. As new states were admitted to the Union, stars were added to the flag to represent each one, culminating in the current design, which includes a star for each of the 50 states.

The other options do not accurately describe the reason for the flag's design. The mention of territories is misleading, as the stars do not represent U.S. territories, which are separate from the states. Recognizing leaders is not relevant to the symbol of the stars on the flag, as they are specifically designed to represent states rather than individuals. Finally, the option regarding amendments misrepresents the flag's symbolism, as the number of stars on the flag correlates directly to the number of states and not to constitutional amendments.