The Stars and Stripes
The flag of the United States of America, also known as the Stars
and Stripes, is from the vision of a widow living in 1776 Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. Betsy Ross, born Elizabeth Griscom on January 1, 1752
(-January 20, 1836), was approached in secrecy by three representatives of the Continental Army.
George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross visited Betsy visited her home and asked that she sew the first flag to represent the Colonies.
That July of 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time at Independence Hall. A citywide celebration rang throughout the city at the birth of a new nation.
Until the completion of the Ross flag several different flags were used by the colonies, militias, and the Continental Navy. On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the national flag seeking to promote national pride and unity.
The Betsy Ross flag had thirteen stripes alternating red and white; along with thirteen white stars in a blue field representing a new constellation.
As the nation grew and expanded so did the American Flag. It still retains the thirteen stripes in recognition of the thirteen original colonies but now has fifty stars representing all states belonging to the United States. On July 4, 1960 the last star representing Hawaii was added as they joined the Union on August 21, 1959.