America
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By the numbers: Veterans and Memorial Day – CNN.com
By Amy Roberts and Lindsey Knight, CNN Library updated 6:06 PM EDT, Fri May 25, 2012 CNN.com Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment place flags at the graves of U.S. soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Washington (CNN) — As the country heads into the Memorial Day weekend, there are still almost 1.5 million U.S soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed in war zones or combat missions worldwide, and the 3,000th coalition service member, a U.S. sailor, has died in Afghanistan. So far, more than 6,400 U.S. servicemen and Read More
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Memorial Day History
A Brief History of Memorial Day Full Article http://www.pbs.org/memorialdayconcert/meaning/ Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our country. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. Read More
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Pilgrims With Shoe Buckles, and Other Thanksgiving Myths
By Ryan Lintelman Nov 23 2011, 10:35 AM ET 1 The holiday may be a hodgepodge of false ideas, but it still connects us to the American experience Smithsonian Museum of American History Many Americans share the experience of learning a story about the first Thanksgiving that bears only a passing resemblance to the historical truth. The classic narrative might go as follows: a group of religious separatists called Pilgrims sailed to Cape Cod on board the Mayflower in 1620. They landed on a rock they quickly named for their city of departure in England, Plymouth, and wrote an egalitarian compact to govern their new colony. The Pilgrims proceeded…
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Aug 3, 1492: Columbus sets sail
Columbus sets sail. (2011). The History Channel website. Retrieved 11:07, August 3, 2011, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/columbus-sets-sail. From the Spanish port of Palos, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sets sail in command of three ships—the Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Nina—on a journey to find a western sea route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia. On October 12, the expedition sighted land, probably Watling Island in the Bahamas, and went ashore the same day, claiming it for Spain. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. He established…
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The American Flag: History and Proper Display
Congress first approved the flag on June 14, 1777. This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout America. It was first stated that there be a star and stripe for each state, making thirteen of both. Over the years, the number of stars has been changed to include one star for each of the 50 states, while the stripes remained the same to represent the 13 original colonies. Later, the colors of the flag were given special meaning. The red is for valor and zeal – white is for hope, purity, and cleanliness of life – and blue, the color of heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice, and truth. The…
