History lessons is a grouping of historical stories and tidbits. The topics range from the American Civil War through interesting items from around the world. Please use the comments area to ask questions and make suggestions for future topics.
The arrival of Veterans Day calls attention to something that happened 90 years ago on Nov. 11, 1926. That’s when a national museum of World War I opened in Missouri. The conflict itself was spangled with WWI flags. The National World War I Museum and Memorial, its official name, was sited in Kansas City because… continue
With American flags waving and their own department banners unfurled, firehouses in New York State have often marked major moments in their histories. Those flags have also, at times, caused controversy. Fire Deaths A melancholy example of the use of Old Glory and fire department flags dates back to 1854, when several firemen died in… continue
In October 1781, as the American Revolution neared its conclusion in Yorktown, Virginia, an observer noticed the role flags played on both the American and British sides. That observer, 235 years ago, was St. George Tucker, a noted lawyer who was a lieutenant general on General George Washington’s staff. He kept a journal of events… continue
Seventy-five years ago, one of the world’s most astonishing man-made creations was dedicated: Mount Rushmore. Thirty-five years later, the four presidents carved there would look down on another tribute to the nation: the Avenue of Flags, colorful reminders of the country served by the stony quartet. Mount Rushmore was conceived in the 1920s by Doane… continue
Americans will soon mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks on the U.S. That night, backed by an American flag, President George W. Bush addressed the nation from the White House. Sixty years earlier, Americans listened to a similar speech from the White House, this time by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During his 9/11/1941… continue