Our Pennsylvania Story
47
Lesson 21:
Betsy Ross andOur Country’s First Flag
asked. “Yes,” said Betsy.
“I have nevermade a
flag before, but I am sure
I can. The flagwill have
13 red andwhite stripes.
It will have a field of blue.
In the blue fieldwill be a
circle of white stars.”
Betsy Rossmade the
flag. It was verymuch
like our flag today. There
were only 13 stars in the
blue field. Each star stood
for a state. As our country
grew, more stars were
added.
This story of Betsy Ross is called a legend. No one knows if it is a true story or not. We
do know that Mrs. Ross, and thewomenwho helped her, mademany flags for our country.
On June 14, 1777, the leaders of our countrymet to choose a flag for the United
States. They chose the flagWashington had planned and Betsy Ross hadmade. Today,
June 14th is known as Flag Day.
Answer These Please
1. Betsy Ross lived in
.
2. Shemade her living by
.
3. General
came to see Betsy about making a flag.
4. The idea for the flagwas taken from the
coat of arms.
5. The stars in the flag that Betsymade had
points.
6. The flag had
red andwhite stripes.
7. Each star stood for one
.
8. June
is Flag Day.
Create
Draw andmake a flag for you classroom, home, school, or community.
Betsy Ross had nevermade a
flag before. Betsywanted to
see a flag so shewould know
how tomake one. Shewent on
a ship and asked to see the
ship’s flag. A seaman brought
it to her. She saw it was bound
with sailcloth tomake it
strong. Also, the flag had
eyelets so that it could be
fastened to a pole. NowBetsy
knew how shewould cut and
stitch the new flag.
Betsy
Ross
