"O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes & bright stars through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming."
Star Spangled Banner
by Francis Scott Key (1814)
1814 United States Flag
"She's been burned, dishonored, denied & refused
& the government for which she stands
has been scandalized throughout the land
And she's getting thread bare & she's wearin thin
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
Cause she's been through the fire before
and she can take a whole lot more
So we raise her up every morning
and we bring her down slow every night
We don't let her touch the ground
and we fold her up right.
On 2nd thought, I guess I do like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag."
"That Ragged Old Flag"
by Johnny Cash (1974)
Today's United States Flag
June 14, 1777
CONTINENTAL CONGRESS ADOPTS STARS & STRIPES
The Continental Congress adopted a resolution today stating that:
"the flag of the United States shall be 13 alternate stripes red & white" & "that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
According to legend, Betsy Ross designed the new flag with a circle of 13 stars & a blue background at the request of General George Washington.
Betsy Ross House & Flag
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photo by Coolcaesar (2007)
June 14, 1877
THE 1ST FLAG DAY IS OBSERVED
The 1st "Flag Day" in the United States was observed today on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress.*
*In 1949, Congress officially designated June 14 as "Flag Day" to be observed nation-wide.
June 14, 1937
PENNSYLVANIA CELEBRATES FLAG DAY
The state of Pennsylvania became the 1st state today to celebrate "Flag Day".*
*Pennsylvania is also the only state to celebrate "Flag Day" before the day was declared a national holiday.
One of the longest running Flag day parades is held in Quincy, Massachusetts. Its 1st was held in 1952.
George Morris & the city of Hartford, Connecticut is credited for suggesting "Flag Day" observance.
Flag Day Poster 1917
June 14, 1961
FIDEL CASTRO NOW WILL ACCEPT TRACTORS
Cuban dictator Fidel Castro announced today that he will be willing to accept 500 tractors valued at $28 million instead of bulldozers which he had 1st demanded in exchange for more than 1200 captured Cuban rebels at the Bay of Pigs.
John Deere "M" Tractor
Photo by Artiez
www.antiquefarming.com
June 14, 1954
1ST NATIONAL CIVIL DEFENSE DRILL HELD
The 1st national civil defense drill, organized by the Civil Defense Administration, was held in 54 cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Alaska & Hawaii today.
Canada also was a participant in the drill.
At 10pm sirens were sounded in the selected cities to signal people to evacuate the streets & find the nearest fallout shelter.
President Eisenhower went to an underground bunker in Washington, D.C.
The drill lasted ten minutes.
"Duck & Cover" Movie Poster (1952)
June 14, 1940
GERMAN TROOPS ENTER PARIS
Adolf Hitler's German troops marched into & occupied the city of Paris, France today.
Two million Parisians had fled before the Germans arrived but the ones who remained, lined the streets of the city, most with tears in their eyes.
A huge Nazi swastika was placed beneath the Arc de Triomphe.
German Signs in Paris
Musee de l'armee
Paris, France
Photo by Rama (2006)
June 14, 1922
PRESIDENT HARDING SPEAKS ON THE RADIO
President Warren G. Harding today became the 1st President of the United States to have his voice transmitted on the radio.
The President was speaking at the dedication of a memorial site for Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner.*
*In 1925, Calvin Coolidge gave the 1st presidential address specifically crafted to be delivered as a radio broadcast.
Warren G. Harding
Photo by Harris & Ewing (1920)
Library of Congress Photo
