In 1664, when it was a British colony, Rhode Island quickly came up with a one-word slogan: “Hope.” Then things slowed down. It just squeaked onto the list of the first states in the Union, and it took forever to design a state flag. Even then, R.I. couldn’t make up its mind. Rhode Island became… continue
Seven decades ago this month, half of World War II ended with the surrender of Germany. The timing made May 30, 1945 – Memorial Day – particularly meaningful, and American flags played a major role. You can see for yourself by watching a newsreel from that month. “As America shifts her armed might to finish… continue
Wars throughout the centuries – large or small, won or lost, justified or not – have two things in common: flags and veterans. The flags fly as veterans march away – and back home, many of them injured in mind or body. A common term for such men and women is “wounded warriors,” a phrase… continue
Over the four years of the Second World War, hundreds of thousands of U.S. servicemen were killed. Their bodies and coffins were covered with American flags, and Old Glory waved over cemeteries from New Guinea to France. But the first casualty, who was killed by a Nazi bomb, occurred nearly two years before Pearl Harbor… continue
Everyone can picture the American flag. Many people can imagine their state’s banner. But how many can describe the municipal flag of the city they live in? Take New York City. While millions of residents, workers and tourists walk around there every day, it’s doubtful that any of them could identify the city’s flag. And… continue