I was in first grade in 1976, and even though I had just turned seven, I knew that 1976 was an important year. Our little town celebrated the Bicentennial for that whole year, along with the rest of the United States. My teacher gave me the wonderful role of Betsy Ross for the school play, a role that I relished. I could just imagine George Washington coming to my parlor to ask me if I would make the first American flag! My mom sewed a Colonial dress for me to wear, along with a mop cap and an apron. I loved wearing my little cap!
When summer came, I reprised my role as flag-sewing Betsy for the Fourth of July parade. While other kids wove red, white and blue streamers through spokes on their bicycle wheels for the parade, I actually got to sit on a float! With my pretend needle, I sewed the flag as we paraded through town.
A couple of years ago, perhaps because I remember portraying Betsy Ross so vividly, I began to take pictures of American flags on the Fourth of July. On the flag we’re so familiar with today, the stripes represent the 13 original colonies and the 50 stars represent the number of states. The color red symbolizes hardiness and valor. White symbolizes purity and innocence. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. As we sing at preschool, it certainly is a “Grand Old Flag!”
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Wonderful memory and totally could picture you as a kid playing Betsy Ross now 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…The Fit Female Club – Preparing Myself for Bathing Suit Season
I love how blogging jogs my memory. I forgot that I was Betsy Ross until I was trying to think of something to write this week!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Betsy Ross and Patriotism {Spin Cycle}
I would have loved to have seen pictures of you in that outfit! So cute! Great info about our flag too!
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness recently posted…Memorial Day Runs
I know my dad has pictures somewhere! Next time I visit I should look for them.
Ginny Marie recently posted…Betsy Ross and Patriotism {Spin Cycle}
Great memory for you to share. Did your Mom keep the outfit? And I bet there was a picture of you in it in some album. Maybe you can find it by the 4th!
Janice recently posted…What Would You Do?
No, I’m sure the outfits disappeared long ago. My mom probably gave them to someone else who needed a costume. 🙂 I need to ask my dad to look for a picture!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Betsy Ross and Patriotism {Spin Cycle}
I always wanted to portray Betsy Ross! No lie.
I can totally see you doing it.
tamaralikecamera recently posted…What Will Blogging Be Like In 100 Years?
Really? That’s neat! I wish I could remember more about it, but I was pretty little. I was actually the same age as Emmy is now!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Betsy Ross and Patriotism {Spin Cycle}
Oh what a great memory! I could see you as Besty Ross, peiently sharing your craft. And I remember the bicentennial – there was a lot of planning for that!
Raquel recently posted…Father’s Day Gift Idea: Photo Love
Yes, it was really a big deal! There was a lot of excitement that year!
Ginny Marie recently posted…Betsy Ross and Patriotism {Spin Cycle}
I am crazy jealous that you got to play Betsy Ross! While I loved playing Benjamin Franklin in my 7th grade production of 1776, Betsy sounds like the primo, coveted role!
Gretchen recently posted…Spin Cycle: Patriotic
1. According to the U.S. government, there is no proof to the Betsy Ross story. The so-called “Betsy Ross Flag” dates from the early 1790s — not the Revolutionary War. And although Mrs. Ross made flags for 50 years, she made flags for Pennsylvania’s navy during the War. (Source: “Our Flag.” Joint Committee on Printing. United States Congress. H. Doc. 100-247. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1989. p. 2.)
2. Scholars now credit Francis Hopkinson as the American flag’s designer. (Source: Leepson, Marc. “Flag: An American Biography.” St. Martin’s Griffin. 2005. p. 33.)
3. The Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA) issued the following Tweet on February 4, 2021:
FMAA@FMAA_USA.COM – Feb 4
#FlagFact: The designer of the American flag was Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey.
FMAA_USA.COM
Submitted by Earl P. Williams, Jr., U.S. flag historian (paleovexillologist)