Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, and White Lies

About this episode

This episode explores the myth surrounding Betsy Ross and the first American flag as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.

As we approach the nation's 250th birthday, we are looking back at some of the most important moments in American history. One of those moments is when Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. But, as we discovered, there’s actually no proof that Ross sewed the first flag. In fact, we don't even know what the first American flag even looked like! In this episode of Sidedoor , we unravel this vexillological tall tale to find out how this myth got started, and who Betsy Ross really was. Sidedoor also recently teamed up with the popular 99% Invisible podcast to explore the lesser-known history of the American flag. The episode, “ Flag Days: Unfolding a Moment ,” is available to listen to now. Guests: Jennifer Locke Jones, political and military history curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History Marc Leepson , journalist, historian and author of the book Flag: An American Biography Marla R. Miller , historian and author of Betsy Ross and the Making of America

People in this episode

Guests: Jennifer Locke Jones, Marc Leepson, Marla R. Miller

Topics covered

• American history
• Betsy Ross
• American flag
• mythology
• vexillology
• cultural narratives

Keywords

• Betsy Ross
• American flag
• myth
• history
• vexillology
• cultural history
• 99% Invisible

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Smithsonian Institution, 99% Invisible

Books & works: Flag: An American Biography, Betsy Ross and the Making of America, Flag Days: Unfolding a Moment

More episodes of Sidedoor

• How Can You Forget Me · June 10, 2026 · 28 min
• High Art, Low Ride · May 27, 2026 · 32 min
• The People in the Pictures · May 13, 2026 · 30 min
• May the 4th Be With You · April 29, 2026 · 30 min
• Tapir Caper · April 1, 2026 · 34 min
• Made in America · March 18, 2026 · 33 min