Betsy Ross Flag

On June 14th, 1777, the Continental Congress resolved “Resolved, that the Flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

There is no accurate documentation on the design of the first flag. The legend of Betsy Ross was told by her descendants 94 years later in 1870 in affidavits. Betsy Ross was a seamstress with an upholstery shop in Philadelphia and the widow of John Ross, nephew of George Ross. A committee of General Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross created a sketch with six pointed stars and gave it to Betsy. She suggested a five pointed star, the French rule rather than six pointed, the English rule. She took a sheet of paper, made several folds and with one cut produced a five-pointed star. How to make the five-pointed star is at www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagstar.html