Freedom's Flag -Postcard Friendship Friday #460

Today is Flag Day and this coming Sunday is Father's Day.  Dad will always be my hero. 

I love our country's flag.  My Father fought beneath it and for it during WW2.  He spoke of how that flag, those stars and stripes, symbolized his country and family--those things he loved best.  In the midst of blood and battle, when he saw our American Flag he took courage.

Dad is in heaven now--but I still remember the look in his eyes when he spoke of how our flag gave him courage to face the terrible things of war.

Happy Flag Day, Daddy.  I love you.

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Columbia, Gem of the Ocean -Postcard Friendship Friday #411

This is such a lovely postcard.  The little girl's jumper and starry apron are just charming, making it the perfect postcard to commemorate Flag Day.

However the title of this postcard had me baffled.  So, I did a little research. Columbia, Gem of the Ocean is the name of a song thought to have been composed by Thomas A Becket in 1843. 

For many years this song was the unofficial national anthem of America. However, in 1931 the Star Spangled Banner was officially adopted by Congress as the official national anthem of the United States.  Still, the song was very popular. So much so, in 1957, it was featured in the popular musical The Music Man.

I was also astonished to learn that in 1969, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean was performed by a U.S. Navy Band aboard the USS Hornet, while the ship's helicopters recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after they splashed down in the Pacific Ocean!  History is SO interesting and full of surprises. 

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Flag Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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Happy Flag Day and Best Birthday Wishes -Postcard Friendship Friday #410

Somehow Blogger lost what I had scheduled for today, posting an exact copy of last week's PFF instead.  I have NO idea why, or where my original post went! Hence I am re-posting both Flag Day and Birthday vintage postcards for you this morning.

I have always loved the American flag, with its bright colors, symbolism and rich history.  This beautiful vintage postcard with our flag and the dear little children bearing bouquets of colorful flowers touches my heart.

The vintage postcard above is one of my favorites--its rich color and beauty of design fills my eyes.  As many of you know, my birthday is Flag Day.  So over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of my favorite vintage birthday postcards, along with those celebrating the American flag!

Happy Flag Day and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday! 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.  

Happy Flag Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #361

This coming Wednesday is June 14--Flag Day!  I have love seeing all the flags waving from the sidewalks and buildings on that day.  When I was a little girl, I actually thought the flags were put out especially to celebrate my birthday!  Imagine how disappointed I was when I realized that wasn't so.  But I still love the way the flags look on Flag Day. 


The idea of a yearly day to honor the American Flag originated in 1885, when BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, this innovate teacher continued to advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

 For 30 years, on June 14^th local and state celebrations unofficially celebrated Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.  The holiday was officially establishedby the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. But it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

 

Flag Day! -Postcard Friendship Friday #270

After the Declaration of independence was signed, Americans decided to choose a flag to celebrate their freedom.  On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved the design for a flag.  From that day forward, June 14, became known as Flag Day.  

At first the idea was to add a star and a stripe for each new state .  But as more states joined, folks soon realized the flag would become way too large and cumbersome.  So, in 1818, the American flag was restricted to its original 13 stripes, with a single star to be added upon the field of blue, for each new state.  

Flag Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  It is also my birthday!  When I was a little kid, I thought the flags were put out for me.  As it is, I love history and the story behind Flag Day makes me smile.

Have a beautiful weekend, dear Friends. Thank you for dropping by, Happy Flag Day and Postcard Friendship Friday, too!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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The Spirit of Liberty -Postcard Friendship Friday #124

Saturday is Flag Day. Flag Day celebrates the day the American Flag was actually adopted as our own on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  

In our town, flags line the sidewalks and fly from people’s houses.  This year, there is a new addition to the day’s celebration; The River’s Edge Music Fest!  There will be two stages, and a flock of famous bands and singers performing.  There's a likely audience of over 5,000 people flooding into town that day.  What fun!

And tomorrow is my birthday, too!  What a great day it will be.  Have a lovely weekend everyone, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday! 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

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Flag Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #172

When I was a little girl, I was convinced the flags I saw flying on June 14th were there in celebration of my birthday.  "I'm famous," I would say.  lol  Suffice it to say, as early as first grade, my schoolmates made sure I discovered the truth of the matter!

I've always loved Flag Day.  There is so much fascinating history to be found.  It was after the Declaration of Independence was signed that Americans chose a flag of their own to celebrate their freedom. On June 14, 1777 - Flag Day - the Second Continental Congress approved a star and a stripe for each state.  The flag quickly became the symbol of America and of freedom.

When Francis Scott Key penned his famous "Star Spangled Banner" during the war of 1812, the flag he wrote about bore fifteen stars and fifteen stripes.

In 1818, because so many states were thinking of banding together, the design was changed.  The American flag kept the first original thirteen stripes, adding a field of blue with a single star for each new state.  I love our flag.  The history behind it is poignant and difficult--especially when we remember all the men who sacrificed their lives for the incredible freedoms we enjoy today.

Happy Flag Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Flag Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #119

When I was a tiny girl, I loved the flags which bloomed everywhere on my birthday.  It was obvious June 14 was a special day.  As a child, one is quite self-centered--so, of course, I believed flags flew because of me! 

What a blow to discover Flag Day actually originated in 1885!  Ah, but the story which lies behind this American holiday is well worth reading.  And I enjoy a good story!  Mrs. B.J. Cigrand, Wisconsin school teacher, loved our nation's flag and believed its birthday should not go unnoticed.  This wonderful lady pushed hard for a special day to commemorate  the birthday of the American Flag.

It wasn't long before the idea caught on.  Joining Mrs. Cigrand's cause in 1889, George Balch, a teacher from New York City, planned Flag 'Birthday' celebrations for the children of his school.  Later on, these celebrations were adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. In 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration and the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day.

In 1914, Franklin K. Lane, United States Secretary of the Interior spoke these stirring words--words he said came from the Flag itself, "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself." 

But it wasn't until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

It is fascinating to discover the history behind so many of our holidays.  Have a wonderful day, everyone!

*  DON'T FORGET:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Flag Day - Postcard Friendship Friday #67

 

When I was little, I believed flags flown on June 14, were to celebrate the day I was born.  In school, I soon discovered Flag Day actually originated in 1885, by a Wisconsin school teacher, Mr. B.J. Cigrand. This wonderful teacher pushed hard for a special day to celebrate the birthday of the American Flag.

The idea caught on--on June 14, 1889, George Balch, a teacher from New York City, planned Flag 'Birthday' celebrations for the children of his school.  Later on, these celebrations were adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. In 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day.

In 1914, Franklin K. Lane, United States Secretary of the Interior spoke these stirring words--words he said came from the Flag itself, "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself." 

But it wasn't until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

NOTE:  You don't have to stick to the theme I chose each Friday.  Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them!  Have fun everyone!

Children of the Flag - Postcard Friendship Friday # 14

I've always thought it wonderful that countries of the world each have a flag to represent them!  In America, we celebrate our Flag on June 14.  On that date, in 1777, the Continental Congress passed a resolution specifying that the flag carry 13 stripes and 13 stars. The colors would represent hardiness and valor (red), purity and innocence (white), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue).  Over the years, as stars representing each state were added to the flag, the design changed to what it is today--white stars in a field of blue next to red and white stripes .

In 1885, a Fredonia, Wisconsin schoolteacher, B.J. Cigrand, arranged for the students in his school district to celebrate Flag Birthday on  June 14th!

Then, in 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher from New York City, planned similar festivities for his school’s students. In 1893, Philadelphia became the first city to celebrate Flag Day and the following year, New York was the first state to observe June 14th as Flag Day. In 1916, after decades of expanding community observances, President Woodrow Wilson finally established Flag Day on the calendar.

But it wasn’t until 1949, that National Flag Day was officially observed every June 14th. The United States Flag Code, as adopted by Congress, states “The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.”

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

The Clustered Stars of Flag Day

This is a postcard from my "Cyber Postcard Collection." I adore the graceful composition of this lovely piece.

I was born on Flag Day. For years and years I believed flags were flown on Flag Day in celebration of my birth. (grin) As a child I was disappointed when I learned the truth. But as adult, I don't mind so much, that really--flags are flown on this day to honor our country's Flag.

Our Flag has stood for liberty and the pursuit of happiness for over 200 years! Compared to many countries America is quite youthful. I hope and pray our flag will stand and fly for hundreds of years to come. I pray that the courage, bravery, faith, truth and sacrifice this country was built upon will not falter.