Monday, September 19, 2011

OLD GLORY=PART ONE

On September 3, 1777, the US flag was flown for the first time at the Battle of Cooch's Bridge in Delaware. Over the next two centuries, the flag would become one of the most recognizable in the world, and stands today as a symbol for the values of the American people.

The nickname "Old Glory" was coined for the flag in 1831 by Capt. William Driver of Salem, MA. As he set sail on his whaling vessel, the Charles Doggett, he raised the large flag of 24 stars. Seeing it as it caught the ocean breeze, he dubbed it "Old Glory" Capt. Driver's flag survived his sea faring life as well as the Civil War, and now housed by the Smithsonian in Washing, DC.

The exact hues used in the flag have been designated by Congress as "White ", "Old Glory Red" and "Old Glory Blue". They were formally standardized in 1946, and are the colors used in flags produced for use by the US Federal government. The United States Flag Code was devised by a committee of 68 organizations organized by the American Legion in 1923. It was adopted as law by the US Congress in 1942, and dictates proper display and treatment of the flag.

The first version of the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Frances Bellamy, circulating manager of the Boston-based magazine, "The Youth's Companion," in 1892. Bellamy circulated a simple leaflet to schools nationwide with the recitation and requested students repeat it in front of the flag on Columbus Day. That year on Columbus Day (October 12th, 1892), 12 million children said the Pledge of Allegiance.

During World War 1, citizens from across the country sent letters to the Capitol urging that the flag be flown continuously over public buildings in Washington, DC. Since then the flag has been flown 24 hours a day over the White House and many historical land marks.

Flag Day, June 14th, was declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but the US flag was celebrated in its own right before that. The earliest known reference dates from 1861! Communities across the US mark Flag Day with parades and picnics.

Here is a link from Google that you will find interesting about Flag etiquette.
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

9 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Wonderfully interesting Margaret, all this American History is great to read from someone this side of the big pond.

Thanks for the visit, much appreciated.

Yvonne.

Kavita Saharia said...

Thanks for this interesting and informative post.I enjoyed knowing about 'Old Glory'.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Yes that flag is very well known. But it's history is not. Thanks for this update.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the interesting info on our nation's remarkable and special symbol. I have my flag flying proudly and am now happy to know more about it.
The Shewbridges of Central Florida
http://wmljshewbridge.blogspot.com
LJSBlog@aol.com

Patty said...

Very interesting and educational article. Another cooler day and wet again, but still nice compared to 90 and above heat. LOL

Hope all is well at your neck of the woods. Seems the whole family has been having sniffles, coughs and congestion, THANK GOODNESS, I haven't gotten it yet, but I think it's probably a matter of time.

I do have to go see a heart doctor in a few weeks. Family doctor thinks there's way too much heart skipping, I knew something wasn't right, but kept blaming my thyroid. You know how we sometimes do. LOL Take care.

Anonymous said...

Hello Margaret and all,

Just another coolish, damp day here. I told Patty to put away the cool water mister as I leave the windows open a crack at night and that seems to work just as well. I have been to the doctor twice trying to get over whatever I got and am on new antibiotics. She thinks since my lungs are bad to begin with that anything gettting a foodhold is harder to get out. I do feel better. I asked her about sleeping and thinking about all kinds of things when I go to bed and until I fall asleep. So she told me to double up on my sleeping pills. Which I did and slept until 7:35 this morning. The other day I slept a bit longer than that. So I feel somewhat like a kid again--sleeping longer anyway.

Hope you are well and getting on like new.

Anonymous said...

As always, a fabulous post Margaret. Thank you for the compliments on the wedding decorations. Lots more in the back where the party will actually be held. Pray for no rain...will ya? I kept my flag up all summer and just took it down. I probably should keep it up all year but I don't. xoxo

Chubskulit Rose said...

I learned a lot form your post, thanks for sharing this Ms. Margaret. Have a safe weekend.

Michelle Sommer said...

Thhanks for a great read

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