History of the American Flag

According to legend, in June, 1776 Betsy Ross  received a visit from George Washington, George Ross and Robert Morris of the Continental Congress. She had met George Washington through their mutual worship at Christ Church (and she had sewed buttons for him previously) and George Ross was John's uncle. They announced that they were a "Committee of three" (perhaps self-appointed, under the circumstances) and showed her a suggested design, which was drawn up by Washington in pencil. The design had 6-pointed stars and Betsy suggested 5-pointed stars instead because she could make a five pointed star in one snip. The flag was sewn by Ross in her parlor. It was this flag that flew when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud at Independence Hall on July 8, 1776. Some historians believe that it was Francis Hopkinson and not Betsy Ross who designed the official "first flag" of the United States (13 red and white stripes with 13 stars in a circle on a field of blue). Hopkinson was a member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration. Source: Wikipedia

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• 4th of July Prints & Posters
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• Free American Flags Knitting Patterns

In 1813 the commander of Ft. McHenry askedfor a flag so big that "the British have no trouble seeing it from a distance." He asked Mary Young Pickersgill to make the flag for him. Her thirteen year old daughter helped her. She used 400 yards of fine wool. They cut 15 stars that were two feet across. There were 8 red and 7 white stripes. The stripes were each two feet wide. When it was finished it measured 30 by 42 feet and cost $405.90

Read More:Francis Scott Key

How to Fold the American Flag

1st Step:To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground

2nd Step: Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

3rd Step:
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

4th Step: Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open top edge of the flag.

5th Step: Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

6th Step: The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner

When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.