THESE COLORS NEVER RAN . . . AND NEVER WILL. This is the engrossing story of the American flag and its designer and creator, one Miss Elizabeth Griscom, or Betsy Ross. It’s a story that is inspirational, motivational, and aspirational. It represents the best of man in the darkest of times, when freedom was but a word, almost lost, yet fought for and achieved by men and women who’ve their all and lit the torch that would lead the world ever-after. In Betsy Ross and the First Flag of the United States of America: The People, Events, and Ideas Behind the Design and Creation of the Flag and Seal of the United States, you will discover . . . - who Besty Ross really was and what motivated her to create the ultimate symbol of freedom, - how General George Washington ordered the creation of a flag of the Union, - this history and story of the glorious Gadsden — “Don’t Tread on Me!” — flag, - the various flags used during the United States’ amazing early history, - how John Paul Jones established the freedom of the seas, - all four beautiful verses of “The Star Spangled Banner,” - the incredible tale of Francis Scott Key writing what became the national anthem, - stunning patriotic songs that stirred a burgeoning nation to victory and independence, - how the stars on Old Glory were folded and made, - the importance of Brother Jonathan, - why the American Eagle was selected as the nation’s symbol, - the writers of “America” and other songs of victory and national pride, - the truth about George Washington and other heroes of the American Revolution. From the last stitch as it was sewn to it waving proudly over these fruited plains to this day, the story of the American flag and Betsy Ross is the story for — and of — all of us. It’s a story of defiance before oppression, of truth over wickedness, and of valiance overcoming cowardice. Gather the family ‘round and explore the wonderful history of our Union, its heroes, and the creator of our eternal red, white, and blue. Introduction A country is composed of people situated on a piece of land who share some basic traits—language, mores, and customs. Later, those people forge a nation and it adopts symbols that serve as identifiers of their beliefs, laws, and aspirations. No symbol of any sovereign nation is more telling, nor more high, than its flag. It is carried into battle and waved during peacetime. It bedecks halls of justice and watches over public lands. A man will doff his hat for it and all will raise their head for it. Of all secular symbols, a nation’s flag is the most sacred—and no flag has been as esteemed as the flag of the United States of America. It symbolizes freedom, bravery, justice, and hope to people around the world, citizen of this great land or not. A nation’s flag not only tells a story, it has a story. The story of one Betsy Ross and the creation of the American flag is an exceptional one. In this first book of the About U.S. series, you will thrill at the description of her creative design and then read agog as the Founding Fathers, guided by the Stars and Stripes, forge a nation that would secure freedom and happiness for all—and would continue to do so to this very day. Long may it wave o’er these hallowed lands! And may God continue the bless us with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Anthony R. Michalski Editor

The thirteen-stripe, fifty-star flag is as familiar an American icon as any that has existed in the nation's history. Yet the history of the flag, especially its origins, is cloaked in myth and misinformation. Flag: An American Biography rectifies that situation by presenting a lively, comprehensive, illuminating look at the history of the American flag from its beginnings to today. Journalist and historian Marc Leepson uncovers scores of little-known, fascinating facts as he traces the evolution of the American flag from the colonial period to the twenty-first century. Flag sifts through the historical evidence to---among many other things---uncover the truth behind the Betsy Ross myth and to discover the true designer of the Stars and Stripes. It details the many colorful and influential Americans who shaped the history of the flag. "Flag," as the novelist Nelson DeMille says in his preface, "is not a book with an agenda or a subjective point of view. It is an objective history of the American flag, well researched, well presented, easy to read and understand, and very informative and entertaining." "Our love for the flag may be incomprehensible to others, but at least we now have a comprehensive guide to its unfolding." ---The Wall Street Journal "The fascination of history is in its details, and the author of Flag: An American Biography knows how to find them and turn them into compelling reading.... This book brings out the irony, humor, myth, and behind-the-scenes happenings that make our flag's 228-year history so fascinating." ---The Saturday Evening Post "Timely and insightful." ---The Dallas Morning News

A richly woven biography of the beloved patriot Betsy Ross, and an enthralling portrait of everyday life in Revolutionary War-era Philadelphia Betsy Ross and the Making of America is the first comprehensively researched and elegantly written biography of one of America's most captivating figures of the Revolutionary War. Drawing on new sources and bringing a fresh, keen eye to the fabled creation of "the first flag," Marla R. Miller thoroughly reconstructs the life behind the legend. This authoritative work provides a close look at the famous seamstress while shedding new light on the lives of the artisan families who peopled the young nation and crafted its tools, ships, and homes. Betsy Ross occupies a sacred place in the American consciousness, and Miller's winning narrative finally does her justice. This history of the ordinary craftspeople of the Revolutionary War and their most famous representative will be the definitive volume for years to come.

Describes the life of Betsy Ross and recounts the legend of how she sewed the first American flag.

The legend says that Betsy Ross sewed the first U.S. flag in 1776. But the facts say someone else did. Who was it? And how has the flag changed since then? Here's the story.

In 1827, Betsy Ross remembers the day in 1776 when George Washington came to her upholstery shop to ask for help with designing and making an American flag.

Born the eighth of seventeen children in Philadelphia, Betsy Ross lived in a time when the American colonies were yearning for independence from British rule. Ross worked as a seamstress and was eager to contribute to the cause, making tents and repairing uniforms when the colonies declared war. By 1779 she was filling cartridges for the Continental Army. Did she sew the first flag? That’s up for debate, but Who Was Betsy Ross? tells the story of a fierce patriot who certainly helped create the flag of a new nation.