小学英语英语故事名人故事BetsyRossFirstFlagMaker.docVIP

PAGE / NUMPAGES Betsy?Ross:?First?Flag?Maker True or false? Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Would you be surprised to know both answers could be right? Many historians say, yes. Others, no. Let’s look at some facts about this amazing Revolutionary lady and see what you think. Elizabeth, or Betsy, was born on January 1, 1752 to Samuel and Rebecca Griscom of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Griscom family were Quakers. Quakers are a religious group who lead a simple, prayerful life and do not believe in violence. Betsy was the eighth child in a family of seventeen children, so it was only natural she would learn to sew. During the 1700’s, everything a family used from clothes to blankets must be made by hand. Stories tell us Betsy enjoyed sewing during her years at the Friends School. (Friend is another name for Quaker.) She designed her own samplers and won many prizes. When her school days ended, she went to work in an upholster’s shop in Philadelphia.? An upholster made clothes, blankets, covers for furniture and flags. Betsy soon met John Ross and they were married in 1773. They decided to open their own upholstery shop. The Ross’ worked long hours but business was slow. America was at war with Great Britain and times were hard. Even though Betsy believed America’s dispute with the British should be solved in peaceful ways, she tried to help. She gave food and water to soldiers and helped nurse the injured. John joined the Pennsylvania militia. Sadly, he was guarding a storehouse of ammunition when it exploded. Betsy nursed him for months until he died of his wounds. Now a widow, Betsy decided to keep her shop open. At the beginning of the war, American’s fought under the Grand Union Flag. It had thirteen stripes of red and white with a small British flag in the upper left corner. As the war progressed, General Washington did not want our flag to have any reminders of Britain. We needed a new, all American flag. Legend tells us that Ge