Tag: Patriotism

History Lessons

Three people who loved the American flag

Poster for Yankee Doodle Dandy

An Academy Award-winning actor, an obscure seamstress and a dental professor shared something in common: a deep love of the American flag. The actor was James Cagney, who won an Oscar for “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” the film biography of George M. Cohan, the composer known for his patriotic songs and flag-waving Broadway plays. As a… continue

History Lessons

A flag speaks about patriotism

Small flags cover the Mall in Washington, D.C. (wikipedia.org)

On Flag Day more than 100 years ago, Franklin K. Lane, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, delivered a stirring address about the American flag to more than 1,000 of his employees. His words are even more patriotic when his birthplace is considered: Prince Edward Island. At the time, that made him a British citizen (the… continue

History Lessons

Memorial Day, Clara Barton and flags

Decoration Day parade in Texas in 1916, 100 years ago (Library of Congress)

Three major national holidays that unfurl flags are fast approaching: Memorial Day at the end of May, Flag Day on June 14 and the Fourth of July. The problem with such familiar occasions is that we often forget their original meaning and focus instead on picnics and fireworks. Shortly after the Civil War, Memorial Day… continue

History Lessons

Violin virtuoso loved American flag

Jascha Heifetz

At New York City’s Carnegie Hall at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 1919, the New York Philharmonic presented is 1,294th concert. The orchestra’s first act was to play “The Star-Spangled Banner” in honor of the American flag. The 17-year-old guest soloist, born in Poland, was Jascha Heifetz, destined to become one of the greatest… continue