The bottom stripe on the US flag is red. The US flag has 13 horizontal stripes of equal width, and the bottom stripe is red. The red stripes on the flag represent valor and bravery, while the white stripes represent purity and innocence. The flag was first adopted in 1777 by the Continental Congress as a symbol of the nation's independence from Great Britain and has since become an important symbol of American patriotism. The flag is often displayed on public buildings, schools, and homes and is treated with respect according to the US Flag Code.