Mary Pickersgill

Mary Pickersgill was a remarkable American flag maker, best known for creating the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the United States national anthem. Born in 1776 in Philadelphia, she was a skilled seamstress and businesswoman who ran a flag-making business in Baltimore. During the War of 1812, she was commissioned to create a large flag for Fort McHenry, which famously flew over the fort during the British bombardment in September 1814. Her work became a symbol of American resilience and patriotism, and she is celebrated for her contribution to American history and culture.