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Our Pennsylvania Story
L E S S ON 2 1
Betsy Ross andOur
Country’s First Flag
Get ToKnowMe
1. widow
2. husband
3. uncle
4. banker
Betsy Ross lived in Philadelphia. She had a
small shop. In the shop she sewed andmade
drapes. Betsy Ross was a
widow
. John Ross, her
husband
, fought for America in thewar of 1776.
Powder used in the guns blew up. John died from
being hurt.
One June day in 1776, Betsy sat by thewindow.
Betsy looked up from her sewing. She saw three
men coming to the door. Onemanwas John’s
Uncle
, George Ross. Hewas aman in Congress.
Anothermanwas Robert Morris. Hewas a
banker
.
The thirdmanwas General GeorgeWashington!
Betsy put down her sewing. She opened the door.
“Why are thesemen coming to seeme?” she
thought. Betsy bowed to themen. “Good day,
gentlemen,” she said.
“Good day, Betsy,” said her Uncle George Ross.
“We have come to see you about making a flag.”
“Come in,” said Betsy. “Please be seated.”
“I have an idea for a flag,” saidWashington. He
took a paper from pocket. “Here ismy drawing of a flag,” he said. He showed the
drawing toMrs. Ross.
“The coat of arms of theWashingtons is a shield,” said the General. “On it are three
stars, eachwith five points and three stripes. I like the idea of stars for a flag.”
“The stars in your drawing have six points, General Washington,” said Betsy. “Did you
not speak of stars with five points?”
“Yes, but how can stars with five points be cut from cloth?” askedWashington.
“Oh, that’s easy!” Betsy said. She picked up a small bit a cloth and her scissors. She
folded the cloth. Then, with one snip of her scissors, shemade a star with five points! “I
learned to do that when I was a child,” she said.
General Washingtonwas happy. “Could you have the flagmade by tomorrow?” he
Betsy Ross’ original house still
stands today in Philadelphia.
