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substantiates the story. Some historians claim that in June 1776, Gen.
George Washington, Robert Morris and Betsy's uncle, George Ross, went to her
Philadelphia upholstery shop. The men told her they were members of a
congressional committee. They showed her a rough design of a stars and
stripes flag and asked her if she would make the emblem. She said yes and
recommended making the stars five-pointed instead of six. The change was
approved.
George Washington drew another design, and Betsy Ross sewed the emblem. On
June 14, 1777, Congress adopted it as the official U.S. flag. That is the
Betsy Ross story as it is related. However, some sources claim there is no
official record of a congressional flag committee. The only documented
evidence naming Mrs. Ross is said to be a voucher dated May 29, 1777,
showing that she was paid 14 pounds and some shillings for flags she made
for the Pennsylvania Navy.
Note: Recent historic research indicates Francis Hopkinson, a
consultant to the Second Continental Congress is responsible for designing
the original Stars and Stripes. |
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