History lessons is a grouping of historical stories and tidbits. The topics range from the American Civil War through interesting items from around the world. Please use the comments area to ask questions and make suggestions for future topics.
Americans will soon mark the 15th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks on the U.S. That night, backed by an American flag, President George W. Bush addressed the nation from the White House. Sixty years earlier, Americans listened to a similar speech from the White House, this time by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. During his 9/11/1941… continue
The National Park Service is commemorating its centennial this year and invites Americans (and people around the world) to visit its many sites. When you do, you’ll spot plenty of flags. It happened recently to a family that stopped by Great Falls Park in Virginia, just a few miles from Washington, D.C. They spied a… continue
The quadrennial return of the Summer Olympics on August 5 brings with it lots of flags, including the games’ own banner. The iconic white flag with five interlocked circles honors teams that come from around the globe to compete in scores of sports. When the flag was first designed, each nation was represented by a… continue
On August 1, 1876, as the U.S. was marking the centenary of the Declaration of Independence, another U.S. – U.S. Grant, that is – was busy at his desk, putting the final touches on a document that would certify Colorado’s entry into the Union. “I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States of… continue
When members of the Democratic Party gather in the City of Brotherly Love for their quadrennial convention to nominate a presidential candidate, they will see American flags all around the venue. Those with sharp eyes might also spot Philadelphia’s city flag. The banner was conceived in 1894 by a learned expert with eclectic interests that… continue