Show only tradition as to maker of first flag it Is hard to distinguish between legend and truth about the first fl american flag and what betsy ross had to do with it IL the tradition Is that in may 1777 washington accompanied by two oj of his officers called upon mrs ross who operated an upholstering continuing a business left at the death of her husband to make a flag of their design and that this was the first american flag of the official patt pattern era adopted june 14 1777 17 the matter Is in dispute through claims that a flag of the same or nearly the same design had baa been used before there Is some rivalry tor for honor associated with the origin of the flag and confusion wrought by painters and colonial story writers who drew upon their imaginations to add interest to the legend has invited the pressing of some rather nebulous claims the there Is no historical account meeting with such approval as to warrant the assertion that it Is the truth |