The Legend of Betsy Ross Sewing The First American Flag Actually Sews Falsehoods Mainly Because That Story Is Bullshit

*Tap tap tap* does this mic still work?

It's been a couple of days since I logged in for a shift at the ole blogging factory so let's see how this goes without the aid of ChatGPT and whathaveyou. 

History includes many myths, especially historical records that are older than about 150 years. Back then, there was simply no way to record events accurately without biases or fluff. In essence, old history is basically the game of telephone. You have to do the journalistic standard of several sources to make sure what you are reporting on is true. 

Think about even sports myths you know like "Babe Ruth called his shot against the Cubs while talking shit to their dugout and then hit a bomb." Not true. He just kinda pointed his bat ala Jim Thome. There's actual video of this event and people still get it wrong. 

Vikings didnt wear horned helmets. They looked like construction hard hats but metal. 

Despite rumors, lightning does in fact strike the same place twice. The empire state building gets hit like 20 or 30 times a year. 

The Great Wall of China is not seen from space. It's not exactly the autobahn in terms of width. 

One of the pieces of history that every school-aged child in America is taught- well I dont know if they still do- is that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag. Rumor was that Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross approached Betsey Ross and asked her to make old glory. She said that she would do it but wanted the stars to be 5 points instead of 6 because that made sewing it easier. It's a made-up story that didnt come into historical records until 1860ish- nearly 100 years later- because her grandson made it up to historical society. Kinda like my friend's dad who said he invented reverse cowgirl. We all know that was Stu Feiner.

The information about Betsy Ross could be widespread knowledge, and Im sure that everyone reading this already knew that because they have huge brains, but I didn't know that.

I didn't know a bunch of shit that Ken Burns told me and the ole Wonton Don about. I didnt know Ben Franklin's son was a loyalist who Benjamin later hated. I didn't know or really think about the war lasting 8 and a half years. Imagine that. Imagine having war raging in your streets for 8 fucking years. I didnt know how people consumed news and that it was much more involved and informative than we would logically believe and much more accurate than the slop out there now. 

Interviewing Ken Burns was an incredible opportunity. I've interviewed Congress members, sat down with Senators, talked to a dozen Medal of Honor recipients and on and on, but Ken was something different. The information in his brain is truly amazing. Ive done some pretty good interviews but this one tops them all and I dont think it's really close.

If you're bored at work on a Wednesday, check out the newest Drop A Pin. If you dont like it, youre an idiot but I'll give you your money back. 

KEN FUCKING BURNS! The Goat