History Lessons

A night of horror and a night of flags

Leaping from the scene of his crime, Booth catches his spur on a flag. (Library of Congress)

The story of the assassination on Abraham Lincoln, 150 years ago, is the story of American flags, blood-stained, ripped and draped with black ribbons. On April 14, 1865, joyous over the recent end of the Civil War, when Confederate flags had been folded in defeat at Appomattox, Lincoln had an idea. He invited his wife… continue

History Lessons

Amid flags, president set baseball precedent

In stadiums around the U.S., as well as one in Canada, these words will soon resound: “Play ball!” Those venues will be draped with bunting and topped with American flags as the 2015 baseball season debuts. More than a century ago, a tossed baseball set a precedent that endures. It was established by President William… continue

History Lessons

Firemen with flags rallied to nation’s cause

The conclusion of the four-year-long 150th anniversary of the Civil War is a good time to remember how some firemen put down their hoses to pick up flags and firearms. In the spring of 1861, when southern states began to secede, The New York Times reported that “the extreme danger to which the Federal Capital… continue

History Lessons

How Florida fiddled with state flag

One hundred and seventy years ago – in 1845 – Florida entered the United States as its 27th member and designed a state flag that failed almost immediately. Ever since, Florida has been fiddling with its banner. The first flag carried a motto – “Let Us Alone” – that many people found offensive. A Vermont… continue