Here waves the Flag, which all nations respect. It is sometimes called The Colours. In war, the soldiers carry a Flag waving over their heads, to show, that, as long as it is raised, they are not beaten; and the soldiers look to it as a place or rallying point where they must all join if forced to separate. Flags are hoisted on a ship's mast to tell to what nation she belongs, and every nation has a different one. The American Flag has thirteen stripes, to show how many States first formed the United States, and it has as many stars as there are States at this time.