Betsy Ross

4 Stories

Report: After Kaepernick Complaint, Nike Pulls 'Betsy Ross' Shoe

Company yanks shoe that featured an early version of the American flag

(Newser) - A patriotic sneaker featuring an early version of the American flag has been abruptly pulled by Nike just days before the Fourth of July—and sources say Colin Kaepernick helped persuade the company to change course. Insiders tell the Wall Street Journal that the former 49ers quarterback, who is one...

Flag Day: Five Myths About the American Flag
 Five American Flag Myths 
happy flag day
Jun 14, 2011 9:45 AM CDT

Five American Flag Myths

You can burn it, but you shouldn't wear it

(Newser) - In honor of Flag Day today, the Washington Post lists five of the most common myths about the national symbol:
  • Betsy Ross made the first one: You’re probably sitting there shaking your head and saying, “Yes, she did!” but there’s no credible historical evidence. The story,
...

Real Betsy Ross Was a Lot More Interesting

She was admirably 'scruffier' than her whitewashed legend

(Newser) - Think of Betsy Ross, and you probably picture a demure, patriotic seamstress and maybe an apple pie or two. That's too bad, because the real Betsy Ross was a pistol, "a tough businesswoman fond of dark snuff and storytelling," writes Ruth Graham for Slate . Fortunately, a new wave...

One for the Books: Ben Franklin Weds Betsy Ross

A history-based love is consecrated in Philadelphia

(Newser) - Betsy Ross married Benjamin Franklin last night at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, in what probably seemed to many onlookers as a bit of historical fantasy in honor of July 4th, the Inquirer reports. But this was not acting: The couple was Linda Wilde and Ralph Archbold, two of Philadelphia’s...

4 Stories