"Did Betsy Ross really make the first American flag?" Topic

"If you grew up in the United States, chances are you've heard the story of Betsy Ross and the first American flag. It's a charming tale that's won its place in many hearts and imaginations, just like other stories about the nation's founding. However, much as we might want to believe it, some historians have come to question the historical accuracy of the Betsy Ross flag story. Before we discuss the controversy, let's go over the famous yarn for those who haven't heard it or who are a little fuzzy on their grade-school history.

Legend has it that one day in 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross (a relative of Betsy's) called on Mrs. Ross, an upholsterer and seamstress. The men identified themselves as a congressional committee and asked for her help sewing a flag. Washington reached into his coat pocket and took out a folded paper with a crude sketch of his vision for the flag. The design had 13 red and white stripes as well as 13 stars (each representing the 13 colonies and soon-to-be states). When asked if she could do it, Ross famously replied, "I do not know, but I will try" [source: Betsy Ross House]. Supposedly, Ross suggested one important alteration to Washington's design: Instead of six-pointed stars, she recommended five-pointed ones. The men agreed, and she set to work sewing the first American flag…."
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Amicalement
Armand

No, its a pretty well constructed myth.

It been identified as myth for at least 20 years, maybe even longer.

If the first American flag was designed and approved in June of 1777, how did an American ship have its flag saluted in November of 1776? How did troops on the frontier of New York raise one in July of 1777? The answer is the Stars and Stripes approved by Congress in 1777 was not the first American flag.

It's a myth that I bet "kids today" are not even taught in class today.

What would George Washington charge me today to come chop down a nuisance photina?

There was a rather funny rendition of the "event" on "Robot Chicken".

So… who was the one who made the first flag???…. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

She did not make the first official American Flag. You won't see one earlier than 1781 and maybe not then either. She had contracts to make various state naval flags. If she bothered to keep documentation on those then wouldn't she keep documents on what she would have to know to be the most important flag in the new republics history?

The story of her making the first flag dates to William Canby, Ross's grandson, told the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that his grandmother made the flag at George Washington's behest. Canby's sole evidence: affidavits from family members.

The iconic 1893 painting of Ross sitting in her Philadelphia parlor with the sun beaming down on the flag in her lap is a scene invented by Charles H. Weisgerber, the artist and entrepreneur who profited from the Betsy Ross legend.

There is no documented independent proof that she made the first American flag. Honestly, I don't know for sure who made the first flag. My guess is Francis Hopkinson.

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The first "US" flag was designed by a special committee and was purely for use in identifying ships at sea; even then, the actual description was sufficiently "loose" for several versions to appear during the war. The land-based use of "national" flags at that time was extremely limited, mainly to flying over public buildings or coastal defences, and interior forts (Stanwix being a prominent AWI example). Armies generally limited themselves to regimental flags, and those designed to identify commanders, which were often either personal banners – eg Washington's HQ flag (the 13 stars on a plain blue field) – or some other easily recognisable device, such as a royal standard.

Given the difficulty in creating a "national colour" to go alongside the "regimental colour" in relation to the 1779 clothing regs (no design had even been agreed by the time the war ended), it is highly unlikely that GW – or anyone else for that matter – asked Betsy Ross to create a national flag in 1777. The Bennington and Cowpens flags have both been proven to be post-war as well (something else The Patriot got wrong).

Thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Oh no SM, didn't you get the memo? "The Patriot" is a family story, not a movie about the Revolution.

The Bennington and Cowpens flags have both been proven to be post-war as well.

Yeah? Ok. YOU come and take the flags away from my hard bitten Continental regiments.
As the Greek scholars in the officer corps (and who wasn't?) would say, "Molon Labe!"