I’ve always had a passion for American military history. In order for us to truly understand history, we have to place ourselves into the shoes of the men and women who lived it. It’s only after we gain this perspective that we can finally begin to learn from our past.
So, the ultimate question comes to mind…how do you place yourself into the shoes of the average Revolutionary War or Civil War solider? How can you experience, at least in small measure, the emotions of the people that lived through some of the most important moments of our nation’s history?
Well, I’ve discovered a way. By learning the symbolism and function of the hundreds of flags used throughout our history, you can place yourself into the shoes of great world leaders, military commanders and the average American citizen and gain a perspective of history that is truly unique to any other.
As we learn more about the creation of each of our nations’s many flags, we begin to see not just that flag’s history, but we see how those who created these flag’s viewed their own history. Why was it important to President Taft in 1912 to issue an order that a point on every star on the American Flag be pointed up? Why was it that the Continental Navy decided to use a snake for their “Don’t tread on me” flag?
As we learn the answers to these questions, we begin to see why it was so important to our nation’s early leaders that we be united in the cause of liberty. We begin to see why now, more than ever, we need to stand together as a nation today. What flags will we wave in the future? What does your flag look like?
Well, I’ve discovered a way. By learning the symbolism and function of the hundreds of flags used throughout our history, you can place yourself into the shoes of great world leaders, military commanders and the average American citizen and gain a perspective of history that is truly unique to any other.
As we learn more about the creation of each of our nations’s many flags, we begin to see not just that flag’s history, but we see how those who created these flag’s viewed their own history. Why was it important to President Taft in 1912 to issue an order that a point on every star on the American Flag be pointed up? Why was it that the Continental Navy decided to use a snake for their “Don’t tread on me” flag?
As we learn the answers to these questions, we begin to see why it was so important to our nation’s early leaders that we be united in the cause of liberty. We begin to see why now, more than ever, we need to stand together as a nation today. What flags will we wave in the future? What does your flag look like?
