June 14, 2009

Flag Day

These are indeed different times. This year I chose to fly different flags than the typical stars and stripes. The two flags that are flying in front of my house today are the Appeal to Heaven flag and the Gadsden flag.


Appeal to Heaven flag


This flag was used by George Washington on his squadron of six schooners which he outfitted at his own expense in the fall of 1775. This flag was a variation of the New England Pine Tree flag. It was later modified and adopted by the Massachusetts Navy. The Sons of Liberty would rally under a large tree, in Boston Massachusetts, which came to be known as "The Liberty Tree". This tree became a symbol of American independence. Knowing they were up against a great military power, they believed they were sustained by still a greater power, thus their "APPEAL TO HEAVEN".

Gadsden flag

This flag has a great deal of history starting with Benjamin Franklin. In 1751, he made the first reference to the rattlesnake in a satirical commentary published in his Pennsylvania Gazette. It had been the policy of Britain to send convicted criminals to America, and Franklin suggested that they thank the British by sending rattlesnakes to England. These days it has been used in modern politics as a symbol of disagreement with the current government.

2 comments:

  1. The Simpsons - :
    When my family arrived in this country four months ago, we spoke no
    English and had no money in our pockets. Today, we own a nationwide
    chain of wheel-balancing centers. Where else but in America, or
    possibly Canada, could our family find such opportunity? That's why,
    whenever I see the Stars and Stripes, I will always be reminded
    of that wonderful word: flag!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the history, Dan.
    Of course it is meaningless to present day discussions of religion, so whatever inference you were trying to wring out of it is rather trite.

    ReplyDelete

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