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Betsy Ross
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Betsy Ross got expelled from quaker church
In 1773, at age 21, Betsy crossed the river to New Jersey to elope with John Ross, a fellow apprentice of Webster’s and the son of an Episcopal rector—a double act of defiance that got her expelled from the Quaker church. -
Betsy Ross got married to John Ross
In November, at the age of 21, Betsy eloped with John Ross, the son of an Episcopal assistant rector. They had to elope because Quakers did not believe that people should marry outside of their religion. However, Betsy fell deeply in love with her fellow apprentice at an upholstery shop. After crossing the Delaware River and getting married in New Jersey, Betsy was cut off from communication with her family. -
Betsy inspired the star spangled banner
Margaret Manning (from as early as 1775), Cornelia Bridges (1776) and Rebecca Young, whose daughter Mary Pickersgill would sew the mammoth flag that later inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” -
John Ross was killed
John Ross was killed during an explosion after joining the Pensylvania militia. Betsy tried to nurse him back to health but he did not live. -
Betsy was invited to design the flag
In the summer of 1776 (or possibly 1777) Betsy Ross, newly widowed, is said to have received a visit from General George Washington regarding a design for a flag for the new nation. -
Betsy Ross designed the first American Flag
Betsy allegedly finalized the design, arguing for stars with five points (Washington had suggested six) because the cloth could be folded and cut out with a single snip. -
BEtsy began to sell her flags
Betsy allegedly finalized the design, arguing for stars with five points (Washington had suggested six) because the cloth could be folded and cut out with a single snip. -
She wanted woman rights
expressed a national desire for symbols of female Revolutionary patriotism, of women materially supporting their fighting men and (just perhaps) showing George Washington a better way to make a star. -
no one displayed until the star spangled banner came out
“The Star-Spangled Banner” was written in 1812 but did not become popular until the 1840s. As the 1876 U.S. Centennial approached, enthusiasm for the flag increased. -
Betsy Ross created the name The United States of America
An 1871 pamphlet enthusiastically not only credited Betsy Ross for designing the first U.S. flag, but for coming up with the name "United States of America" and writing a hymn that was the basis for the French anthem "La Marseillaise." (There is no evidence to support either of those claims.)