Betsy Ross

Seamstress
Born January 1, 1752 — Died January 30, 1836

Operating an upholsterer's shop in Philadelphia, Betsy Ross is credited with making the first stars-and-stripes flag. She did so at the request of George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross.

Attributing Betsy Ross as the maker of the flag is based on family tradition made public by her grandson William Canby in a paper delivered before the Pennsylvania Historical Society in 1870. Records of the Pennsylvania State Navy Board show that payment was ordered for "making ships' colours, etc." on May 29, 1777.

The stars-and-stripes was adopted as the national flag by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777.