African-American History ·
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DID YOU KNOW A BLACK GIRL HELPED CREATE THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG?
Grace Wisher, a free-born Black girl from Baltimore, Maryland, helped stitch the Star-Spangled Banner during the six-year apprenticeship she began with flag-maker Mary Pickersgill around 1810. The original Star-Spangled Banner is on view at the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.
Grace Wisher, an African American apprentice, played a significant yet often overlooked role in the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner. In 1813, at the age of 13, Wisher was indentured to Mary Pickersgill, the Baltimore seamstress tasked with creating the enormous garrison flag that would fly over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. This flag later inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that would become the lyrics of the United States national anthem.
Grace Wisher's work on the flag highlights the contributions of African American women in American history, even during a time when their labor and efforts were frequently unrecognized or undervalued. Her involvement in making one of the nation's most enduring symbols illustrates the diverse hands that have shaped American heritage. Wisher's story adds depth to the understanding of how the iconic Star-Spangled Banner came to be, recognizing the collaborative effort behind its creation and celebrating the contributions of African Americans in the fabric of American history.