A previous article about American flags and Inauguration Days through the decades described how presidential ceremonies have often featured multiple banners and plenty of bunting to decorate the special day. An example in that article was Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address in 1865. His short, 700-word speech is renowned for his offer of reconciliation toward… continue
Have you ever wondered where the Marine Corps flag should stand next to the service flags of the other military branches? Although Marines think we’re better than everyone else, the Marine Corps flag is not the ranking flag when all U.S. military flags are displayed (but it’s close). Here’s the order of precedence: American Flag… continue
The inauguration of President Donald J. Trump calls to mind many flag-bedecked ceremonies of the past. Here’s a sampling: 1865 Abraham Lincoln’s second inauguration brought out flags, partly to salute him and partly to celebrate the upcoming end of the Civil War. A Washington newspaper reported that “the national flag in some shape, mammoth or… continue
History of the Marine Corps Flag Since the Revolutionary War, United States Marines have become very good at two things: making Marines, and winning wars. The Marine Corps has built its reputation for victory on the battlefield over nearly two and a half centuries, and in enough places around the globe to give truth to… continue
Anyone fascinated with flags – the American flag, foreign flags, flag laws and even a flag-related word he invented – should be interested in the life of Whitney Smith, who spent his 76 years adoring, studying, collecting and creating banners. When Smith died last November, The New York Times saluted him as a man “whose… continue