History Lessons

Three people who loved the American flag

Poster for Yankee Doodle Dandy

An Academy Award-winning actor, an obscure seamstress and a dental professor shared something in common: a deep love of the American flag. The actor was James Cagney, who won an Oscar for “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” the film biography of George M. Cohan, the composer known for his patriotic songs and flag-waving Broadway plays. As a… continue

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Heraldry and Flags in a Game of Thrones

Stannis Baratheon

You’ve probably heard of Game of Thrones. If you haven’t, it’s a cultural phenomena that has reached almost unparalleled heights, with a highly anticipated new season of the HBO series starting in July, four new HBO spin offs in the works, and a long awaited sixth book being written (albeit painfully slowly). Whether you’re an… continue

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The first U.S. warship to carry the flag

USS Ranger receives the first recognition of the American flag by a foreign government on February 14, 1778; Quiberon Bay, France.

July 4th. It’s a familiar date. It’s when we celebrate the beginning of our independence as a country. It’s a date that has come to signify freedom, ‘the American way,’ hot dogs, fireworks, and quality time with friends and family. More than anything, it’s a date that offers us a chance to reflect on the… continue

History Lessons

A flag speaks about patriotism

Small flags cover the Mall in Washington, D.C. (wikipedia.org)

On Flag Day more than 100 years ago, Franklin K. Lane, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, delivered a stirring address about the American flag to more than 1,000 of his employees. His words are even more patriotic when his birthplace is considered: Prince Edward Island. At the time, that made him a British citizen (the… continue

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“This We’ll Defend”… since 1775

army painting

“Back in 1775, my Marine Corps came alive. First, there came the color red…” Actually, first…there came the Army. I love the Corps and I loved wearing the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. But the Marines weren’t the first to fight in the Revolutionary War. That honor goes to the Army. On June 14th, the United… continue