Many people like flags, but some take their interest to the nth degree. Those people are called vexillologists, meaning those who study the history, lore and meaning of flags. One such person is Scot Guenter, a professor of American Studies at San Jose State University. He agreed to answer some questions about his fascination with flags…. continue
Flags are flying throughout America as the baseball season debuts this week. Stadiums across the country (and in Canada) will be topped with pennants snapping in the wind. “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be sounded and sung. That’s true now, and it was true a century ago in the major and minor leagues. In April 1914,… continue
It flew at Yorktown when the American Revolution ended. It flapped at Gettysburg in November 1863, when Abraham Lincoln spoke his memorable words. It’s Old Glory. Well, yes – and no. The term “Old Glory” has become synonymous with “American flag” and “the Stars and Stripes.” Originally, however, Old Glory was not a generic term…. continue
People marked St. Patrick’s Day in many ways: eating corned beef and green cabbage, drinking green beer, and “the wearin’ o’ the green.” So why does the national flag of Ireland have two colors in addition to the hue that has traditionally represented that country? The World Factbook describes the Irish flag as having “three… continue
If you go to the website of Congressman Mike Thompson of California, you’ll see several flags. A U.S. flag flies, appropriately, on his banner. You click on another flag to get information for veterans. Guidelines can also be found for arranging to receive an Old Glory that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. There is… continue