Flag Information

Air National Guard History – Part 1

Air National Guard Flag

FORGING THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD Read more of this series Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 An excerpt adapted from Chapter II of The Air National Guard: A Short History, by Dr. Charles J. Gross, National Guard Bureau Historical Services Division, 1994 The Air National Guard as we know it today — a… continue

History Lessons

Painters captured joy, pride and colors of flags

'The Fourth of July, 1916' by Childe Hassam

In the four decades between 1878 and 1918, three major artists in France and America who are marking significant anniversaries deployed their talents to create dozens of striking images of flags. They captured the movement, colors and patriotic echoes of the banners. The list includes Claude Monet, who was born 175 years ago; Vincent van… continue

Flag Information

The Secret History of the Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge Of Allegiance 1892

Most Americans are taught the Pledge of Allegiance as young students, eager to pay tribute to their flag and their country. However, few Americans really know how the Pledge got its start. The Pledge of Allegiance has had a very interesting history. The pledge was born in 1892 when Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, created… continue

History Lessons

What on earth is a Billiken flag? Ask St. Louis!

The Billiken squats at St. Louis University.

A young artist from the Midwest caused a sensation in 1909, little knowing she would inspire a flag that saluted sports at Saint Louis University, thanks to a coach’s portly shape. The cause was her creation of an inanimate object called a Billiken. Florence Pretz was an aspiring artist and illustrator with an interest in… continue