Nuts!

On this date in 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, American forces were surrounded in the town of Bastogne when a group of German soldiers passed a message to the American commander demanding his surrender. General Anthony McAuliffe, the American commander, was said to have reacted to the message by saying, "Us surrender? Aw, nuts!" The reply was then written:

To the German commander: NUTS!

The Germans attacked Bastogne, but the American soldiers held on until bombers and reinforcements could arrive. The Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive in World War II, ended in late January, and General McAuliffe's response was forever enshrined as a symbol of American resolve in even the most desperate of times.

Plymouth Landing

Nearly 400 years ago, on this day in 1620, the Mayflower landed at what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. They had first sighted land on November 9th, and had explored some areas of Cape Cod in November and December, but today is traditionally recognized as the colonist's first arrival and survey of the Plymouth area, where they would establish what would become the second successful English colony in what would eventually be the United States. Today we raise the Massachusetts flag to honor their arrival.

Samuel Adams, Son Of Liberty

The liberties of our Country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks....Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection, deliberation, fortitude, and perseverance. Let us remember that "if we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it, and involve others in our doom." It is a very serious consideration, which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may be the miserable sharers of the event.

-Samuel Adams, Boston Gazette, 1771

Valley Forge

On this day in 1777, General George Washington led his Continental Army into Valley Forge for what would be a brutal winter encampment where approxomately 2,500 soldiers would eventually perish due to exposure, disease and starvation. However, the remaining men in the Army would eventually leave Valley Forge a better army, due in part to increased and unified training during the winter, along with the knowledge that France had joined the American effort to defeat the British.

In their honor, we raise the Betsy Ross flag along with our own modern Stars and Stripes, which would have been impossible today without the courage and resolve of the Continental Army and George Washington.

New Jersey Statehood

In 1787, on this date, New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the United States Constitution and join the Union, joining Delaware and Pennsylvania in the new United States. Today, we raise the New Jersey state flag and the Betsy Ross flag in their honor.

First Flight

The world has changed considerably in the past 110 years, since that day in 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On this anniversary of the first powered flight, we raise the North Carolina flag in honor of this historic day.

The Boston Tea Party

Today marks the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when a group of men from the Sons of Liberty, disguised as indians, threw an entire shipment of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act, a tax levied on the colonies by the British Parliament. The Boston Tea Party was one of several actions which eventually led to the American Revolution and our independence.

In honor of those colonists who had the courage to act, we raise the Sons Of Liberty banner with the American Flag.

The Bill Of Rights

On this day in 1791, the Virginia General Assembly became the ninth state legislature to ratify the Bill of Rights, which made the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution law of the new nation. Many of our personal freedoms we take for granted today - freedom of speech, the press, assembly and religion, the right to bear arms, and other rights - began on this day in 1791 following Virginia's vote.

Washington's Death, and Alabama Statehood Day

 

Today, in 1799, George Washington died at his Mount Vernon home. He was remembered by Congressman Henry Lee with these famous words:

"First in war—first in peace—and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and enduring scenes of private life; pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere; uniform, dignified, and commanding, his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting...."

Today also marks the statehood of Alabama, the 23rd state to join the Union.

Always Ready, Always There

Today is recognized as the birthday of the United States National Guard. Thank you to all who serve our country and protect its citizens! According to the National Guard Bureau, the Guard is a direct descendant of the militias of the 13 colonies, tracing its history back more than 375 years.

Pennsylvania Ratifies The Constitution

On this date in 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution. Only Delaware, which ratified the Constitution a mere five days earlier, has been in the United States under Constitutional law a longer time.

Indiana Statehood

On this day in 1816, Indiana became the 19th state in the United States, the first of four states admitted to the growing United States in a four-year period (followed by Mississippi, Illinois and Alabama). To celebrate, we raise the Indiana state flag and the 20-star flag.

The 20-star flag was the first design change for the United States flag since 1795, and the flag which restored the 13-stripe pattern after the 15-star, 15-stripe flag design. The five stars added stand for Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi.

Mississippi Statehood

Today we celebrate the anniversary of Mississippi's entry into the United States as the 20th state in the Union, signed in 1817, by raising the Mississippi flag and the 20-star flag.

The 20-star flag was the first design change for the United States flag since 1795, and the flag which restored the 13-stripe pattern after the 15-star, 15-stripe flag design. The five stars added stand for Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana and Mississippi.

Our Quote For The Day

If we lose the virile, manly qualities, and sink into a nation of mere hucksters, putting gain over national honor, and subordinating everything to mere ease of life, then we shall indeed reach a condition worse than that of the ancient civilizations in the years of their decay. - Theodore Roosevelt

A Declaration Of War

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan...

...Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God. 

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in a speech to a Joint Session of Congress, December 8, 1941

Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was launched by Japanese forces, resulting in the deaths of over 2,000 Americans and the entry of the United States into World War II. In honor of those who lost their lives in the attack, flags are generally flown at half-staff every year on December 7.

Daniel Webster

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it. -Daniel Webster (from Wikiquote)

Thomas Jefferson

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.  - Thomas Jefferson (from WikiQuote)

Washington's Farewell

On this day in 1783, more than two years after the British surrender at Yorktown, General George Washington said farewell to the troops he had led through the War of Independence to retire to Mount Vernon. In many other countries, a military leader of Washington's stature and popularity could have taken control of the country by sheer force of will. That Washington did not was a testament to his integrity and commitment to a free and independent country. On the day of his farewell to his troops, we raise Washington's Commander-in-Chief flag.

Illinois Statehood

Today is Statehood Day for the state of Illinois, the 21st state in the Union. We raise both the state flag of Illinois as well as the 21-star US flag in honor of the Land of Lincoln.