Tuesday, November 12, 2013

And now...Samuel Adams

“If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
― Samuel Adams
 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Celebrating Our Veterans, And Statehood

 

 Today is Veteran's Day in the United States, a day to remember those who have fought for our freedom throughout our history. It is this day more than others that we also see the POW/MIA flag flying prominently, reminding us of those brave soldiers who were captured in conflict, some of whom have never made it home to this day. If you get the opportunity today, be sure to thank an armed forces veteran for the freedom you enjoy!


 






Also, today is statehood day for the state of Washington, in 1889, celebrated by the 43-star flag as well as their own state standard.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

The United States Marines

 
Today is the 238th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, founded in 1775 in Philadelphia by Captain Samuel Nicholas. Thank you for your service in defense of freedom, Marines!

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Thought And Flag For The Day

"In these days, when it seems a malaise is gripping the country and some believe we are beginning to tear ourselves asunder, the flag we fly as a symbol of our free nation rarely fails to fill our hearts with a love of country, a spirit of pride and patriotism, and a rememberance of our forefathers who worked and fought for the founding and continuation of a country of free people." -anonymous

Friday, November 8, 2013

Montana Statehood

 
On this day we honor the statehood of Montana, admitted to the Union in 1889. They received their star on the American flag as one of five new states – including the Dakotas, Washington and Idaho – included on the 43-star flag.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Long May It Wave

Today we raise the flag of the United States of America.
Long may it wave in freedom!

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry (Wikipedia)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Sixteenth President

 
Although there are many anniversaries of presidential elections within the first few days of November, today's stands out: the anniversary of the election of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, who led the country during its darkest days. We post the state flag of Illinois today in his honor.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Election Day

 
Today is Election Day in the United States, the “first Tuesday following the first Monday”, and even though this is not a presidential election year, we decided to hoist the flag of the presidential seal to mark the occasion, as almost all of our presidents have been elected in the first week of November. Other issues, from governor's races to local school and tax questions, are being decided across the country today. If ever there was anything to celebrate in this country, it is the continuation of democracy in action by secret ballot of all citizens.

Monday, November 4, 2013

The First Ship

 
According to The American Patriot's Almanac (by William Bennett and John T. E. Cribb), today is the anniversary of the acquisition of what would become the first ship in the United States Navy by the Continental Congress in 1775. In honor of the Alfred (the rechristened Black Prince), today we raise the First Navy Jack flag, still in use today during the War On Terror.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

The Continental Army Demobilized

 
On this day we fly Old Glory as our historical flag of choice to celebrate the end of another era of the Revolutionary War, as this is generally recognized as the day in 1783 when the Continental Army was demobilized following a resolution by Congress in October and the publishing of General George Washington's farewell orders, given to the Philadelphia papers on November 2. The Continental Army, against all odds, had defeated the British two years before at Yorktown, cementing the independence of the new nation. Now it was time for members of the Army to go home and resume their lives not as subjects, but as citizens of a new nation.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Statehood Of The Dakotas

 
Today, we raise three flags in honor of the statehood of North and South Dakota. Both states were admitted to the Union on this date in 1889 as the 39th and 40th states, although no one knows in which order they became states, as President Benjamin Harrison reportedly had the papers shuffled so no one would know which state could claim to be the first of the two admitted. The 43-star flag, first used on July 4, 1890, added five stars from the previous version, representing the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana and Washington.