reak away from England. This is the flag that was raised over the
camp of Washington at Cambridge, January 2, 1776.

[Illustration: Fig. 102]

"But in 1777, after the colonies had proclaimed the Declaration of
Independence, congress ordered that the flag of the thirteen United
States be composed of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, and
that thirteen white stars in a field of blue be substituted for the
crosses. It was also decided to add one star and one stripe as each
new state was admitted. Congress, then in session in Philadelphia,
named George Washington, Robert Morris and Colonel Ross to call upon a
widow who had been making flags for the government and ask her to make
this first real American flag. And this is the flag that Betsy Ross
made: [Indicate flag "b."] It is said that Betsy Ross suggested that
the stars be five-pointed, as she could fold her cloth so as to make a
five-pointed star with one clip of her scissors. Can you make a
five-pointed star with one clip? Betsy could! [Note: The writer has
seen the simple process described in a sketch of Betsy Ross; it is too
long for repetition here, but a demonstration of the method would be
an interesting innovation.]

"Well, this flag was carried throughout the remainder of the
Revolution, and it was present at the surrender of Burgoyne and the
fall of Yorktown. But when Vermont and Kentucky were admitted as
states, the flag was changed, so there were fifteen stars and fifteen
stripes, like this: [Indicate flag "c."]

"This flag waved throughout the war of 1812. It was this flag that
Francis Scott Key saw 'through the dawn's early light,' and which
inspired him to write 'The Star-Spangled Banner.'

"It was not until 1818 that congress saw that a mistake had been made
and that it would be necessary to confine the number of stripes to the
original number, thirteen, though we have continued to add a star for
each new state. This is the flag of today: [Indicate flag "d."]

"As we look upon this flag, our hearts grow warm with love for our
country. We honor it and the memory of those who brought it into being
and who died to preserve it for us. I know of no better closing
picture than this, which indicates the true spirit of the patriots who
died beneath its folds upon the fields of battle--a picture which
speaks to us of Him who said, 'Greater love hath no man than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.' [With heavy black put in
the outline of