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.
This year marks the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare. No one is sure in what month and on what date he was born, but tradition has placed it in late April because he was baptized on April 26, 1564. He spent his life writing, and his writing often turned to flags. Take this passage from… continue
This year marks the 225thanniversary of the New York City inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States of America. Later in 1789, Washington visited Boston, where he was greeted by jubilant citizens waving an endless array of flags.
As the ongoing sesquicentennial of the Civil War rotates through its succession of battles, from Bull Run to Gettysburg and the Wilderness, regimental flags and banners are being remembered as an important part of that history. But who designed and painted the gallant standards that were carried into hellish gunfire and wicked shelling? … continue
Flags are flying throughout America as the baseball season debuts this week. Stadiums across the country (and in Canada) will be topped with pennants snapping in the wind. “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be sounded and sung. That’s true now, and it was true a century ago in the major and minor leagues. In April 1914,… continue
It flew at Yorktown when the American Revolution ended. It flapped at Gettysburg in November 1863, when Abraham Lincoln spoke his memorable words. It’s Old Glory. Well, yes – and no. The term “Old Glory” has become synonymous with “American flag” and “the Stars and Stripes.” Originally, however, Old Glory was not a generic term…. continue