The Mystery in the History of the First American Flag
On June 14 we celebrate Flag Day. Legend has it that Betsy Ross designed and made the first American flag in 1777. The Betsy Ross legend was first put forth almost a century later, when her grandson claimed his grandmother was commissioned by George Washington to make the first flag, but no evidence of this exists. Another woman, Rebecca Young, was also credited by her family as the maker of the first flag.
Historians agree that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence is credited with the design of the 1777 flag. Betsy Ross is credited with the use of five-point stars. Mary Young Pickersgill, daughter of Rebecca Young, is credited with the "Star-Spangled Banner" version of the American flag that is hanging in the National Museum of American History.
If you want to learn more about the history and symbolism of the American flag, check out the resources listed below:
- Flag Day Celebrated 1777
- The Flag - Symbols of the U.S. Government
- Our Flag - History of the flag, rules for displaying the flag, and how to obtain special flags.
- Preserving the American Flag
- Symbols of a New Nation