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Birth
Betsy was born as Elizabeth Griscom in Philadelphia, PA. -
Married
In 1772 she married John. Eventually, they opened their own upholstery business, drawing on Betsy's deft needlework skills. This sparked her uprising with needleworking which would soon result in flag making. -
Made the first flag
In 1776 Betsy Ross, got paid a visit from General George Washington to discuss the design for a flag for the new nation. Washington and the Continental Congress had come up with the basic layout. But it is said Ross finallized the design. She argued with them that the stars should have 5 points because the cloth could be folded and cut out with a single cut. -
Continued to make flags
In 1776 when the American Revolution started, John (her husband) was killed by a gunpowder explosion while on militia duty at the Philadelphia waterfront. After his death, Betsy acquired his property and kept up the upholstery business, working day and night to make flags for Pennsylvania. -
Important meeting
In June of 1776, Betsy Ross had that fateful meeting with the Committee of Three. This committe consisted of George Washington, George Ross, and Robert Morris This meeting led to the sewing of the first flag. -
Flag Passes
On this day the flag passed as the countrys first national flag! The law said nothing about the flag’s size, shape, or ordering of stripes or the size, type, or arrangement of stars. The legislation just gave flag makers latitude for the creation. Betsy Ross took the flag making into her own hands and made an extrodinary flag that on this day became the first national flag. -
Betsy's new design
In 1795, a new design for the flag came out. More stars and stripes appeared. It consisted of 15 stars and stripes. This was because after the war, Vermont and Kentucky were adopted into the Union. -
Made flags for New Orleans
As Betsy still continued to make flags in her buisness with her daughters, she began to create flags for larger deals. She made 16 18x24 flags for New Orleans and she made 27 flags for the Indian Department. -
Death
She died at the age of 84. -
Retired
In 1875 Betsy said goodbye to flag working. She retired at the age of 75. She knew her eyesite was getting bad, so she let her long time job go. -
Stamp
In 1952, the United Postal Service made a stamp in her honor. -
Layed to rest
Betsy Ross's remains were moved to her previous home in New Jersey. Betsy played an important role in history. She proved women were just as important to the freedom movement as men.
