Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia, PA

The story of Betsy Ross was known only to family members until her grandson, William Canby, made a speech to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870 about his remarkable grandmother and her accomplishments. According to her children and grandchildren, Betsy often talked about the day when George Washington and two other members of the Continental Congress entered her upholstery shop. She recognized her distinguished guests and invited them into her parlor. Upon hearing that they wanted her ...

to make a flag for the new nation, she explained that she had never made a flag before, but would be willing to try. One year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress made the Stars and Stripes the official flag of the United States.

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