Betsy Ross Flag (Heritage Collection)

Perhaps no other flag is as closely associated with early America, or the Revolutionary War as the Betsy Ross Flag.  While it is true that the Betsy Ross Flag is one of the earliest recognized designs of the American flag, its true origins are still debated by scholars and historians.  Legend has it that in early 1776 George Washington, Robert Morris, and Colonel George Ross (the uncle of Betsy’s late husband) visited a Philadelphia upholsterer and flag maker by the name of Betsy Ross.  At this meeting, Washington himself showed Betsy a sketch of a flag with 13 six pointed stars and 13 red and white stripes.  Betsy suggested changing the stars to have 5 points instead of six and to arrange the stars in a circular pattern.  The circular pattern of the stars was to represent the unity and equality between the states with no state more dominant than any other.  The men agreed and Betsy began working on the flag.  The flag was finished in May or June of 1776, just in time for the signing o