Tag Lincoln

The Stars and Stripes

Allen Frederick 5 Comments

Here are 5 fascinating facts about our grand old flag.

Did you know?
General George Washington’s first battle flag carried the British Union Jack in its upper left corner. American Revolutionaries combined the Union Jack with 13 red and white stripes to demonstrate that while loyal to England, they were also committed to justice for the 13 colonies.

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men; and so it must be daily earned and refreshed — else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Betsy who?  Betsy Ross : Designer of Our Flag
Most historians now discredit the legend that Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross produced the first American flag in 1776. It is a fact that the pre-Union Pennsylvania government asked Betsy to sew flags for its navy—but others whose names are now forgotten were also asked to do so.

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” (Mark Twain)

Grand Old Birthday
On June 14, 1777, the new Continental Congress resolved “that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

The American Revolution : Campaign 1776

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” (Harry S. Truman)

Indivisible
During the Civil War, Lincoln‘s advisers, reflecting the view of many Northerners, wanted him to order the removal of the 11 stars representing the rebellious states. Lincoln replied that his mission as President was to preserve the Union at all costs. How could he allow the stars of the Confederate states to be stricken from the flag when so much blood was being spilled to keep them?

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

The Civil War – A Film by Ken Burns

“The real democratic idea is not that every man shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him.” (Henry Ward Beecher)

For All
The Pledge of Allegiance was first published in The Youth’s Companion children’s magazine in 1892 as part of a national public school celebration. Written by Francis Bellamy, it has gone through several revisions over the years, including the addition of the phrase “one nation under God,” which President Eisenhower signed into law on Flag Day 1954.   http://www.guideposts.com/print/13425

Related articles by Zemanta:

Powered by ScribeFire.

Related articles by Zemanta

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln!

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Abraham Lincoln, three-quarter length portrait...
Image via Wikipedia

Vindicating Lincoln: Defending the Politics of Our Greatest President

While Lincoln is usually portrayed bearded, he first grew a beard in 1860 at the suggestion of 11-year-old Grace Bedell

Today I would like to say thank you and happy birthday to one of the greatest Presidents these United States have seen. Had it not been for the efforts and foresight of President Lincoln we would not be the United States for the south had seceded and were fighting with the north to keep it that way over the issue of slavery.

By the time Lincoln took office, the Confederacy was an established fact, and no leaders of the insurrection proposed rejoining the Union on any terms. No compromise was found because no compromise was possible. Lincoln perhaps could have allowed the southern states to secede, and some Republicans recommended that. However, conservative Democratic nationalists, such as Jeremiah S. Black, Joseph Holt, and Edwin M. Stanton had taken control of Buchanan’s cabinet around January 1, 1861, and refused to accept secession. Lincoln and nearly all Republican leaders adopted this nationalistic position by March 1861: the Union could not be broken. However, Lincoln being a strict follower of the constitution, would not take any action against the South unless the Unionists themselves were attacked first. It finally happened in April 1861.

What a novel idea a political party that believed in the Constitution of the United States and honored it. Perhaps we need another Abraham to keep covenant with the people?

Just like Abraham of the bible who held to the commandments of God Abraham Lincoln believed in the rule of law and held steadfast against great opposition to keep the unity of these United States. Thank you President Abraham Lincoln. I am so thankful for your tenacity and unwavering spirit during a time of great distress wrought upon this nation. What the British were unable to do we the people were fast dividing and conquering ourselves. Had it not been for you and Divine intervention I believe this young nation would have ceased to exist shortly after being born.

Technorati tags: , , , , , ,