Revolutionary Quilts

June 14, 1777

First Flag

According to legend, on June 14, 1777 the first flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes was made by Betsy Ross. The Continental Congress agreed that it should be used as the symbol of American Freedom. We now celebrate June 14th as Flag Day every year.

Fighting Strategies

The surroundings and landforms on the battlefields of the colonies played an important part in the battles of the American Revolution. The British were used to lining up in straight lines, and firing at the enemy standing across from them. The colonists, however, had learned well from the Indians in the French and Indian War. The colonists learned that the element of surprise was a good way to catch the enemy off guard. The colonists began to use the land around them to hide and block incoming gun fire. They used trees as shields and hills, valleys, and water as a way to sneak up on the British.

This new way of fighting allowed smaller numbers of Minutemen to be successful against the larger British Army.