2008 civics test · Question 97 · Symbols
Why does the flag have 50 stars?
One of the 20 questions for the 65/20 special consideration
Any one of these answers is accepted
- because there is one star for each state
- because each star represents a state
- because there are 50 states
What this means
The flag has 50 stars because there are 50 states, one star for each state.
Did you know? The current 50-star flag first became official on July 4, 1960, after Hawaii became the fiftieth state. Under federal law, a star for a new state is added on the following July 4.
Remember it as a pair with the stripes:
- 50 stars: the 50 states today
- 13 stripes: the 13 original colonies
Answer: one star for each state, or because there are 50 states.
Why this is on the test
The star count changes when states are added, which is why today's flag looks different from the one flown a century ago.
How this question is asked
On the 2008 civics test, the officer asks up to 10 of the 100 questions out loud and you pass by answering 6 correctly. You answer in your own words. There is no multiple choice and nothing to write down for the civics portion.
This question also appears on the 2025 civics test , as question 122.
Related questions
More from Symbols.