Remembering Old Glory

[IOM]

As the NFL continues to dig their knees into political Astroturf, Americans continue to tune out. Even the most diehard fans get riled up when they witness disrespect shown toward our flag and, ultimately, to the men and women who have sacrificed dearly to preserve the very freedom that the NFL has flourished under.

But do you know the fascinating history behind how our great symbol of freedom came to be? You just might be surprised.

For more than a year after our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, the newly formed United States still didn't have an official flag.

Finally, on June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a "Flag Resolution" that declared: "Resolved, That the flag of the [thirteen] United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation" (p. 464, Journals of the Continental Congress, Volume 8). This new flag became the first definitive national symbol of our country, representing the 13 former colonies -- now the United States -- Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Georgia, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maryland.

Although Congress gave some overall specifics on what the flag should look like, it left open details of its final design. Soon, someone took the initiative to make a flag with the stars arranged in a perfect circle, symbolizing the powerful unity between the new states. This is sometimes called the Betsy Ross flag because, according to legend, it was Ross who sewed the first flag -- affectionately known as "stars and stripes" -- for George Washington to use as a motivating symbol for American soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

Later, in 1831, sea Captain William Driver of Salem, Massachusetts was given a homemade American flag that he proudly flew atop his ship's mast. He nicknamed the weathered flag "Old Glory." The name became so well known that during the American Civil War Confederates felt duty bound to confiscate and destroy Driver's flag. By this time, Driver was living in Nashville, Tennessee, where his home was frequently searched, but no flag was ever found. Driver had hidden the flag from everyone, including his own family, who sympathized with the South. Little did anyone know, he had hidden the flag by sewing it into the underside of his bedcover. In the end, the plot to seize the flag failed, and when Union troops finally occupied Nashville in 1862, Captain Driver took his beloved Old Glory out of hiding and, with the military's blessing, flew it high over the state capitol.

But how did Flag Day come to be? Interestingly, in 1885, some 108 years after the Flag Resolution was passed, a 19-year-old Wisconsin schoolteacher named Bernard John Cigrand inspired his students at Stony Hill School to celebrate June 14 as "Flag Birthday." According to the Congressional Record, what we call "Flag Day" is believed to have originated with Mr. Cigrand, a teacher who cared enough to instill in his students a great appreciation for the American flag as a symbol of our God-given freedom.

Thanks to Cigrand, children across America have enjoyed Flag Day celebrations ever since. In fact, in 1894 over 300,000 students turned out to celebrate June 14 with their small flags and patriotic songs throughout many of Chicago's city parks. This became a tradition of Chicago public schools.

Times sure have changed, haven't they? Today, there never seems to be a shortage of news stories about a school or university mired in an anti-American flag controversy. In fact, it's all the rage to call for a ban of the flag in the name of "inclusiveness." At the University of California, Irvine, least 60 professors reportedly signed a petition in support of their cultural Marxist protégés who wanted to ban Old Glory because they felt it "contributes to racism and xenophobia."

Instead of imparting knowledge about America's extraordinary founding principles that have given rise to the freest and most prosperous nation on earth, these tenured radicals actually think that socially engineered "inclusiveness" and "diversity" are greater virtues than liberty itself. Well, as Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Luckily for us liberty lovers, we know better. So as we fly our flags this year in celebration of Flag Day, let us not forget to remember the greatness of America's founding, those who came before us that gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend it, and the historical significance of June 14.

Happy American Flag Day!

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[Mikej]

I remember standing every morning in elementary school, facing the flag and all classmates reciting the pledge of allegiance. I never questioned the "Under God", or knew that it wasn't originally written that way until many years later.

WTH has happened to stop this practice? Are there any schools in this country that do this still?

 

[11Charlie]

I remember standing every morning in elementary school, facing the flag and all classmates reciting the pledge of allegiance. I never questioned the "Under God", or knew that it wasn't originally written that way until many years later.

WTH has happened to stop this practice? Are there any schools in this country that do this still?

I think there are schools that still practice this and say the pledge every morning. My guess is it is more the rural small towns in the middle of no where.

If my kids were still small believe me I'd move to one of those towns.

 

[11Charlie]

@IOM thank you for starting this thread and honoring our Stars and Stripes. I wish more people did this kind of thing.

 

[Mister Bisley]

 

[E4mafia]

I remember standing every morning in elementary school, facing the flag and all classmates reciting the pledge of allegiance. I never questioned the "Under God", or knew that it wasn't originally written that way until many years later.

WTH has happened to stop this practice? Are there any schools in this country that do this still?

I very much wonder the same. I recall in high school (grad 04) still doing this. I asked my nephews if they had to and was told they dont.

 

[11Charlie]

I very much wonder the same. I recall in high school (grad 04) still doing this. I asked my nephews if they had to and was told they dont.

Where do they live?

 

[RicInOR]

Flag Day - Maggie's Farm



And, I didn't get mine up before leaving for work. <shame>


Federal Register :: Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2018

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I remember standing every morning in elementary school, facing the flag and all classmates reciting the pledge of allegiance. I never questioned the "Under God", or knew that it wasn't originally written that way until many years later.

WTH has happened to stop this practice? Are there any schools in this country that do this still?

Late to the party...but at the high school where I teach... We recite the pledge each day.
I have also taken the time to talk over just what we are saying and pledging to , as well.
Andy

 

[Stomper]

Having a 10yr stint in a biblical research organization I've always found it amusing that biblically speaking, "13" represents rebellion.... VERY fitting for the original number of colonies, and IMHO as a "believer"... no coincidence.

 

[Captain O]

Late to the party...but at the high school where I teach... We recite the pledge each day.
I have also taken the time to talk over just what we are saying and pledging to , as well.
Andy

I sat down an watched "Any Bonds Today" (Leon Schlesinger productions, 1942). Listening to "The Star-Spangled Banner" made tears come to my eyes. It is so sad when I realize that true patriotism is far from Hollywood's ideals. It is only convenient when it is there to save them from being killed, or to support a bawdy and libertine lifestyle. It is the hard-working conservative mores that built this nation.

Many people seem to have forgotten that this nation was built on the backs of patriots. Wrought from blood, tears, and sweat.

 

[rick benjamin]

Flown over Mt Surabachi, where is that?

 

[Captain O]

Flown over Mt Surabachi, where is that?
View attachment 469721

Mt. Surabachi is on "Sulphur Island" (Iwo Jima).

 

[Ura-Ki]

My high school first period always made the pledge of allegiance every single day! All significant military actions were discussed and many celebrated or remembered, and many of our teachers, especially the older ones were die hard patriots! This was considered "Normal" and no one ever had any issues or ever questioned any of it, no parents ever complained or pitched a biztch about patriotic stuff! Our history teachers were especially good and taught the true historie more often then not! My, how things have changed!