Arkansas Statehood

Arkansas became the 25th state to join the Union on this date in 1836. Arkansas would get it's star on the flag later that year on July 4th, but the 25-star flag would fly for only one year, as
the 26-star flag (for Michigan) would replace it in 1837.

Flag Day and the U.S. Army

On this date in 1777, the Second Continental Congress authorized the new American flag of 13 stars and stripes, and is now known as Flag Day in the United States.

Today also marks the official birthday of the United States Army in 1775, following John Adams' proposal for the formation of a Continental Army a few days before. Today we honor the men and women who have served our country.

The Arrival of La Fayette

Today in 1777, the Marquis de La Fayette, at the age of 19, arrived in South Carolina in an effort to join the American Revolution. After informing Congress he would serve without pay, Congress commissioned him as a major general and Washington accepted him as his aide-de-camp in August 1777. La Fayette would eventually lead troops throughout the Revolution, and helped defeat Cornwallis in Yorktown in 1781. An American flag continues to fly on his grave in France to this day.

The Wall

On this date in 1987, in a speech in West Berlin, President Ronald Reagan issued a challenge to Soviet leader Gorbachev which became some of the most famous words Reagan would say during his presidency:

"General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Two and a half years later, in November 1989, the Berlin Wall would indeed begin to be dismantled, one of the biggest symbols of the collapse of the communist governments in Eastern Europe over the next few years. In Reagan's honor, we display the flag of his home state, Illinois.

Dr. Joseph Warren

Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the more notable members of the Sons of Liberty, was born on this date in 1741. It was Warren, after receiving intelligence on the impending attack by the British on Concord, who sent William Dawes and Paul Revere on their midnight rides to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock and sound the alarm. Warren later led troops in the battles of Lexington and Concord and later at Bunker Hill, where he helped inspire the men to hold their ground against the British, and where was killed in action. In his honor, we raise the Sons Of Liberty flag.

Adams' Proposal

John Adams stood before Congress in Philadelphia on this day in 1775 and proposed the formation of a Continental Army, utilizing the men laying seige to British-occupied Boston. A few days later, Adams would formally nominate George Washington to lead this new army.

Flag History: The First American Flag

The Continental Colors (also known later as the Grand Union Flag) was the first flag of the United States, raised for the first time by John Paul Jones on December 3, 1775. This flag was used by both the army and navy until the adoption of the Flag Act of 1777, which changed the blue field from the British Union Flag to the 13-star design.

The Bill Of Rights Is Born

On this date in 1789, Virginia Representative James Madison addressed the First Congress, proposing a total of twenty amendments to the newly-ratified United States Constitution. These amendments were eventually condensed to twelve, ten of which were ratified by enough states to become the Bill of Rights as we know them today.

A Proposal Of Independence

Today was one of the most pivotal dates in American history in 1776, when Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee put forth a motion to the Second Continental Congress, in part:

"Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

Lee's resolution was debated and eventually led to the approval and signing of the Declaration of Independence a few weeks later. Lee himself was absent when the vote for independence was taken, but signed the Declaration when he returned to Congress. In Lee's honor, we raise the flag of Virginia today.

Overlord

June 6, 1944 was the day 156,000 men from the United States and other Allied nations began the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe with the amphibious invasion of Normandy, France - the largest such invasion in history. Less than a year later, Nazi Germany surrendered and the European portion of World War II was over.

Victory At Midway

On the second day of the Battle of Midway, June 5th, 1942, the final two Japanese carriers of the four-carrier task force - the Akagi and the Hiryu - were scuttled after being damaged the day before (the first two were sunk on June 4th). Despite the loss of the American carrier Yorktown in the battle, the sinking of the four Japanese carriers and prevention of the Japanese task force from invading Midway Atoll was a decisive victory for the Allies and began the long campaign toward eventual victory over Japan in 1945.

Don't Give Up The Ship

June 4th is the date of the death of Captain James Lawrence, who died of wounds received on the USS Chesapeake during the battle with HMS Shannon on June 1st, 1813. As the Chesapeake was being attacked, Lawrence gave his final command, "Don't give up the ship." Lawrence's friend, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, had the words stitched into a blue ensign, and flew this flag during his victory at the Battle of Lake Erie. The original is now on display at the Naval Academy Museum.

The Night Ride Of Jack Jouett

Today marks the beginning of Jack Jouett's Ride in 1781. When Jouett spotted a British force moving toward Charlottesville, Virginia to attempt to capture the Viriginia government and Governor Thomas Jefferson, the "Revere Of The South" rode 40 miles in rough terrain to beat the British there and sound the alarm. He first notified Jefferson at Monticello, where several legislators were staying, then rode to Charlottesville a few miles further. Jouett's efforts saved Jefferson, most of the legislature and General Edward Stevens from capture by the British.

The FIRST First Lady

Today is the birthday of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington, the wife of George Washington and the first First Lady of the United States. Born in Virginia, she was married to Washington for more than 40 years until his death in 1799.

Kentucky And Tennessee

 Today is Statehood Day for Kentucky and Tennessee, the 15th and 16th states to join the Union. While Kentucky joined in 1792 and Tennessee only four years later, Kentucky's star was added to the United States flag in 1795 (Kentucky also got a stripe, as the flag was changed to 15 stripes as well). Tennessee's star was only added after four other states joined the Union and the flag was changed for the first time in 23 years, modified to 20 stars and 13 stripes in 1818.

Appomattox

149 years ago today, the Civil War all but came to an end with the surrender of Robert E. Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia to Union forces headed by Ulysses S. Grant. While a few battles were still to be fought and many other Confederate units or forces would surrender over the following weeks and months, Lee's surrender marked the end of the war in the Eastern Theater.

The Call For War

On this date in 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked the United States Congress to declare war on Germany, following the publication of the Zimmerman Telegram (in which Germany offered to finance Mexico's entry into the war on their side and for Mexico to attempt to reconquer Texas, New Mexico and Arizona) and Germany's resumption of submarine attacks on American ships. Congress would declare war on April 6th.

Five Forks

Today in 1865 was the Battle Of Five Forks near Petersburg, Virginia. This Union victory caused Robert E. Lee to move his remaining men of the Army of Northern Virginia away from Petersburg and begin the final flight toward the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House nine days later.

Creation Of The US Navy

On this date in 1794, Congress authorized the creation of a permanent United States Navy and the construction of six frigates. The US Navy today is the most powerful on the planet, deploying almost 300 ships, including 10 aircraft carriers, around the world.

Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death

On this day in 1775 at Saint John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, Patrick Henry made his speech before the House of Burgesses pressing for the need to mobilize to respond to the British. The end of Henry's speech is popularly known as:

"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!"

No one is exactly sure what Henry said that day, as the speech was written decades later based on oral histories, but the final line as reported remains one of the most well-known lines in American history.