How many original colonies does the 13 stars on the Explorer patch represent?

The 13 stars on the Explorer patch represent the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. Each star symbolizes one of the colonies established along the East Coast before independence was declared in 1776. These original colonies were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia. Recognizing the significance of these 13 colonies is an important aspect of understanding American history, particularly in the context of the nation's founding. The choice of 13 stars directly honors that foundational period, making it a fitting representation for the NYPD Explorer program.