History Lessons

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.

History Lessons

Vermont is strict about its flags

Vermont's coat of arms

How now red cow? That question could be a common reaction to the Vermont state flag. Vermont is marking the 225th anniversary of its entry, on March 4, 1791, into the U. S. As the 14th state, it was the first to join the Union after the original 13 colonies. State Flag The first official… 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

History Lessons

Flags in Williamsburg, flags with George Washington

A guardhouse's flag is furled in Williamsburg. (Author's photo)

George Washington was born on Feb. 22, 1732, right? Well, not quite. He was actually born on Feb. 11, 1731, 285 years ago. Either way, he was surrounded by all sorts of flags his entire life. The National Archives website clarifies his birth date by noting that Washington “was born in Virginia on February 11,… continue

History Lessons

Of Flagg, American flag and yellow flag

A Civil War hospital flag. (Army Medical Dept., Center of History and Heritage)

A few years after the Civil War ended, a multi-volume opus was written. Titled “The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, 1861-’65,” it bulged with case studies, surgical breakthroughs – and some flags, one of which was a person. FLAGG One of the breakthroughs involved Corporal Eugene Flagg, a member of… continue

History Lessons

Two flag stories for Black History Month

Anti-lynching banner in NYC (Library of Congress)

Black History Month in February provides the opportunity to recall events that connected Black Americans to flags. One story is horrible; the other, inspiring. LYNCHING After the end of the Civil War Flags and the emancipation of slaves, many angry Southerners avenged their defeat by persecuting Blacks, denying their rights and lynching them for supposed… continue