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Betsy Ross Homepage


Buy a New Flag! Take a virtual tour of Betsy's House! Click here!

What do the red, white and blue represent? See the FAQ's later in this page

Sign our Guest Book. Let us know that you have visited us.

and if you have the time...

Read and contribute to our CyberThoughts about Betsy and the Flag page. What does the American flag mean to you? What does Betsy Ross mean to other Internet visitors? Let the world know how you feel!


Also visit ... Betsy Ross House postcards ... Historic Valley Forge ... Revolutionary War 1777 ...
Liberty Bell ... Philadelphia's Historic District ... Our homepage

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While Americans recognize and celebrate collective achievements such as the writing of the Declaration of Independence, victory in the Revolutionary War, or the landing of a man on the Moon -- it is individual accomplishment that is cherished the most. The "stars" of the aforementioned events -- Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and Neil Armstrong -- outshine the collective constellation. One person's contribution can define the course and meaning of history.

Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. When we view the flag, we think of liberty, freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross. The American flag flies on the moon, sits atop Mount Everest, is hurtling out in space. The flag is how America signs her name.

It is no surprise that Betsy Ross has become one of the most cherished figures of American History.




Betsy Ross Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Read the full story, with links to affidavits and a more detailed analysis of the historical facts.

The story of Betsy Ross's Life is one of triumph through adversity. She was disowned by the Quakers. She lost one husband to an explosion at a munitions depot that he was guarding. Her second husband died in a British prison. She survived her third husband, who was sick for many years. She had seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. She maintained a business through it all. By the way, her pew was next to George Washington's at Christ Church.

The Betsy Ross House: Take a "virtual tour" of the little house on Arch Street in Philadelphia that is a shrine to Betsy Ross and the American Flag.

Quotes and notes about the American flag by poets, authors, politicians, and others.

Flag etiquette contains the rules and regulations regarding proper handling of the American flag.

Flag trivia questions and answers. Who cut the American flag into pieces and was honored for it? Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down? Test your flag knowledge.

Picture gallery of the American flag at different times in history.

Step-by-step directions to cut a 5-pointed star in one snip. Six-pointed stars are easier to cut out of cloth -- or so George Washington thought. Betsy Ross showed him how to cut a 5-pointed star in a single snip.

Flag Facts and Timeline of the history of the American flag.

Links to other Web sites of interest about the flag and Betsy Ross.


Frequently Asked Questions

Betsy Ross house What do the red, white, and blue of the flag represent?
Who designed the flag?
Why are the stars in a circle?
Why would Betsy Ross be chosen to make the flag?
Was this her house?
Where is the first flag?
Why is the flag called "Old Glory"?
What is a vexillologist?
Many people discover among their family relics a certificate from the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association. What is it?
      Over two million of these certificates were sold starting in 1898 in order to raise funds needed to preserve the Betsy Ross House. These certificates were receipts or "thank-yous" for contributions of 10 cents. The Association went out of business in 1935. The only "value" to these is the knowledge that the recipient participated in the preservation of the Betsy Ross House.

Homepage launched on the 244th anniversary of Betsy Ross's birth: January 1, 1996
Copyright © 1996-99 by the
Independence Hall Association
Interested in using a picture or some of the text? Click here!
Thanks to Toni Collins at the Betsy Ross House for inspiring and assisting on the creation of this site. Thanks also for the careful vetting she gave these pages. She was extremely generous with her help.

Original research by Jonathan Schmalzbach and Douglas Heller, Electronic Publishing Division of the Independence Hall Association.

Special thanks to Mark Biddle, IHA President, for his unquestioning trust and encouragement.
IHA

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