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.
Some historians argue that the 20th century was shaped by World War I. Known as the Great War, it began 100 years ago amid waving – and burning – flags. Coincidentally, on the very same day, Idahoans focused on an American flag for a happier reason. On July 28, 1914, newspapers around the world reported the… continue
The motto of Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, is “Non incautus futuri,” which means “Not unmindful of the future.” But the campus has had to be very mindful of the past in recent months because of a dispute over Confederate flags. The dispute, which was recently settled, began in April, when 12 law… continue
John Philip Sousa, the 19th century March King, celebrated flags, such as his “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Jeanne Fourquet, a 15th century French peasant, is honored for desecrating a flag. How they came together at the White House makes for an interesting trek through history. At the beginning of the Civil War, a newspaper in… continue
On the Fourth of July 1864 – 150 years ago – Mary Wadsworth sat down in her Washington, D.C., home and began writing to Abraham Lincoln. With thoughts of Gettysburg and another, more recent Civil War battle, she wanted a favor, and her appeal included references to her late husband and the U.S. flag. Mary’s… continue
Just before the Civil War, Albert Myer, an obscure telegrapher who became an Army doctor, combined his experience in both fields to invent a means of communicating by waving flags to troops. His effort spawned the Army’s Signal Corps. Today, the Signal Corps sends messages by modern means. But Myer knew nothing of cellphones, emails… continue