Discover the Stars and Stripes: Top 14 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Betsy Ross You Never Knew

1. Revolutionary Origami and Scissor Skills

In a stroke of revolutionary origami artistry, Betsy Ross proved that she was a masterful star-folder and sassy scissors wielder: Her bright idea to switch from six-pointed stars to five-pointers on the US flag was seamlessly demonstrated by folding paper and snipping it with scissors, thus leaving an indelible mark in the form of our nation's current stars and stripes.
Source => womenshistory.org

2. Upholstery to Flag-Making

Before stars, stripes, and snuggles with Uncle Sam: Betsy Ross was actually an ace upholsterer who crafted flags for the Pennsylvanian navy during the American Revolution and continued sewing stars on those beauties for over 50 years. Interestingly, she stuck to her name Elizabeth Griscom Ross all her life, despite tripping down the aisle thrice.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

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=> Fun Facts about George-Washington

3. Washington's Fashionable Confidante

Who knew the "Father of Our Country" had a flair for fashion? Rumor has it he had a close confidante whipping up ruffles for his fancy attire: Betsy Ross wasn't just George Washington's seamstress buddy, they had a sewcial relationship that pulled some strings! From ruffles to stars and stripes: Betsy's stitching skills made her the chosen one to sew the first American flag, thanks to her special bond with Washington.
Source => ushistory.org

4. Great Flag Deception

Lo and behold, the great flag deception: Betsy Ross may have not sewn the first American flag as often believed! But fear not, for she was indeed skilled in the ways of needle and thread: Ross worked as a seamstress and upholsterer during the Revolutionary War, crafting uniforms, tents, and flags for the Continental Army, and running a successful upholstery business alongside her husband whom she eloped with at a tender age.
Source => womenshistory.org

5. Ship Colors and Connections

Ahoy, mateys! Unfurl the mystery behind the Mother of Old Glory: While it's widely debated whether Betsy Ross actually crafted the first American flag, records do show she was paid by the Pennsylvania State Navy Board in May 1777 for making "ship colors." Her connections with General George Washington, Robert Morris, and Colonel George Ross further suggest that she may have been recommended for the job, though some historians believe Francis Hopkinson designed the flag.
Source => history.com

6. Star-Snipper Queen

Step aside, Edward Scissorhands, Betsy Ross was the original Star-Snipper Queen: After being visited by George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross, she suggested the flag design be altered to include five-pointed stars instead of six-pointed ones due to their simpler construction, going so far as to demonstrate her folding and snipping technique - although historical evidence of her involvement in the first American flag is unfortunately lacking.
Source => womenshistory.org

7. Chatty Betsy Ross House

If walls could talk, Betsy Ross' house would spill the historical beans like a chatty shoemaker, a gossiping apothecary, and an outspoken upholsterer at a colonial tea party: Serving as a home and business for a variety of craftsmen over its 150-year tenancy, Betsy Ross herself rented the iconic house from 1776-1779 – but the exact location where she sewed the first American flag remains a mystery.
Source => historicphiladelphia.org

8. Seamstress Superhero

Betsy Ross: the original flag queen and real-life seamstress superhero! Her needlework was so legendary, it allegedly caught the eye of George Washington himself: Although there is no concrete evidence supporting her role in sewing the very first American flag, Betsy continued to make flags, banners, and standards for the nation, even creating six large garrison flags sent to New Orleans in 1810, securing her status as an early American patriot and skilled craftswoman.
Source => history.com

9. Betsy Ross Barbie

Hold on to your (tri-corner) hats, patriots: Not many might know this, but there's a dolled-up version of Betsy Ross that has made history in more ways than one! In 1976, Barbie donned her finest Betsy Ross-inspired outfit, complete with lace trim, to be a part of "America's Time Capsule" during the nation's bicentennial celebration. Our favorite iconic plastic gal proved her resilience and influence as a symbol of American values and traditions, etching her place in history right next to the legendary flag seamstress.
Source => xroads.virginia.edu

10. Betsy Ross Bridge Pioneer

Crossing over troubled waters with a female twist: The Betsy Ross Bridge, opened in 1976 as the first automotive bridge in America named after a woman, connects Philadelphia and Pennsauken while carrying more than 9 million vehicles yearly, and honors the legendary seamstress known for stitching together the first American flag.
Source => riverexplorer.com

11. Flag Mystery and Working Women

Did Betsy Ross accomplish 50 years of sewing flags or was she just "sew" good at keeping the mystery alive? Well folks, unraveling the red, white, and blue truth is no easy task: While George Washington's rendezvous with her has eyebrow-raising history, Betsy was indeed recognized by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 2009 for being a flag maker to the government for over 50 years and representing working women of the Revolutionary Era.
Source => ushistory.org

12. Business-Savvy Betsy

Who knew our beloved Betsy was flying her business colors high, as she reeled in those Benjamins for her flag-making skills? Ahoy, mateys, here's the news from the crow's nest: Betsy Ross was actually paid for her flag-making prowess, as evident from a receipt dated May 29, 1777, from the Pennsylvania State Navy Board, crediting her for more than 14 pounds for crafting "ship's colors."
Source => history.com

13. Stitch-Piracy and Competition

Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, the great Betsy Ross flag mystery unfolding? Contrary to popular embroidery, Betsy may have had some stitch-piracy and flag-hoisted rivals in her day: In fact, historians still dispute the true designer of the first American flag, with individuals like Francis Hopkinson also potentially involved. And if you thought Betsy Ross sewed that legendary banner all by her lonesome, think again – evidence suggests that she probably used a sewing machine or other tools to bring the stars and stripes to life!
Source => history.com

14. Pre-Flag Success and Washington Connection

Before Betsy Ross told thirteen stripes how to wave: she was a thriving entrepreneur, stitching her way to success in Philadelphia along with her husband, John Ross. In fact, this dynamic duo whipped up some bed hangings for George "I-cannot-tell-a-lie" Washington himself in 1774.
Source => womenshistory.org