|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What do the
red, white, and blue of the flag represent?
The
Continental Congress left no record to show why it chose the
colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation
chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States
and listed their meaning as follows: white to mean purity and
innocence, red for valor and hardiness, and blue for vigilance,
perseverance, and justice. According to legend, George
Washington interpreted the elements of the flag this way: the
stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors,
and the white stripes signified the secession from the home
country. However, there is no official designation or meaning
for the colors of the flag.
Who designed the flag?
Betsy Ross
sewed it, but who designed it? The answer, according to the
experts at the Betsy Ross house, is that it was possibly
designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the
Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of
Independence.
Why are the stars in a circle?
The
stars were in a circle so that no one colony would be viewed
above another. It is reported that George Washington said,
"Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation
in the heavens."
Why would Betsy Ross be chosen to make the flag?
It was
usual in that day for upholsterers to be flagmakers. As Betsy
Ross prayed in the pew next to George Washington and was a niece
of George Ross, it is not hard to believe that these members of
the Flag Committee formed by the Continental Congress would call
upon Betsy Ross to make the flag.
Was this her house?
It is known
that Betsy Ross rented rooms here. At the time of the flag
creation, she was either here at 239 Arch Street or next door at
241 Arch, where the garden is now. House numbers on her street
between the years 1785 and 1857 were registered using three
different numbering systems, making the determination very
tricky. If you are interested in historical detective work,
you'll enjoy the methodical, historical approach used by
experts: check out the Was this her house? page.
Where is the first flag?
No one
knows what happened to the first flag. Very few flags from that
time have survived.
Why is the flag called "Old Glory"?
In 1831,
Captain William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts,
left on one of his many world voyages. Friends presented him
with a flag of 24 stars. As the banner opened to the ocean
breeze, he exclaimed, "Old Glory." He kept his flag
for many years, protecting it during the Civil War, until it was
flown over the Tennessee capital. His "Old Glory"
became a nickname for all American flags.
Who was Mary Pickersgill?
Mary Young
Pickersgill sewed the very large (30'x42') Star-Spangled Banner
in the summer of 1813. It flew over Fort McHenry during the War
of 1812 and was the inspiration for Francis Scott Key to write
what would become our National Anthem. Pickersgill's flag today
hangs at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Her
house still stands as a museum you can visit in Baltimore,
Maryland.
What is a vexillologist?
A
vexillologist is an expert on flags and ensigns. A vexillum
(plural vexilla) is a military standard or flag used by ancient
Roman troops.
Many people discover among their family relics a certificate
from the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial
Association. What is it?
Over two million of these certificates were sold starting in
1898 in order to raise funds needed to preserve the Betsy Ross
House. These certificates were receipts or "thank-yous"
for contributions of 10 cents. The Association went out of
business in 1935. The only "value" to these is the
knowledge that the recipient participated in the preservation of
the Betsy Ross House. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
