Tag: America

History Lessons

How Many Stars and Stripes Are on the American Flag?

Heft, modern American flag creator photo opportunity

The Meaning, History, And Fun Facts About The Flag You Love Have you ever wondered, “How many stars does the American flag have?” or “What do the stripes on the American flag represent?”  There are a lot of questions around the American flag design. Even though it’s a timeless symbol of national pride, many details… 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

Sheet music covered with flags

By James Breig John Philip Sousa, the composer, was dubbed “The March King” for his many flag-related and patriotic melodies. So maybe E.T. Paull should be nicknamed “The March Prince.” Now long forgotten, Paull was a major figure in music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Recently, Bill Edwards wrote a book about… continue

History Lessons

Twin victories on Fourth of July

A commemoration of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1913

By James Breig This year’s Fourth of July marks not only the 237th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but also the 150th anniversary of two seminal battles of the Civil War: Gettysburg and Vicksburg. If you subtract 150 from 237, you get a number associated with Abraham Lincoln. The twin historic conflicts, which spanned… continue

History Lessons

‘Shattered old flag’ returns home

By James Breig The continuing 150th anniversary of the four-year Civil War provides an opportunity to focus on regimental flags – and what happened to them. They were carried by troops into battle to mark where their unit was located, to see where they were moving and to provide a rallying point. In a touching… continue