On the American flag, there are 50 stars. Were there any reasons for this design other than to represent the 50 states? For example, do the stars...

The official flag of the United States of America underwent a series of revisions since its original design during the period of the revolutionary war against the British Crown. Its design was no accident, with the Continental Congress passing a resolution on June 14, 1777 that stated:

"Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field,...

The official flag of the United States of America underwent a series of revisions since its original design during the period of the revolutionary war against the British Crown. Its design was no accident, with the Continental Congress passing a resolution on June 14, 1777 that stated:

"Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

The number of stars, of course, corresponded to the number of British colonies-turned-United States. There were 13 states at the nation's outset, and 13 stars reflecting that number (i.e., one star for each state). As the number of states in the Union increased over time, the "blue field" inside of which sat the stars representing the states was subsequently changed to reflect those increases. For each of these modifications to the original flag, a congressional resolution or presidential "Executive Order" was issued officially increasing the number of stars while dictating the pattern and dimensions of the stars and stripes. 

While the number of stars increased in accordance with the nation's growth, the original thirteen stripes, representing the original 13 colonies, has remained constant.