Today is Flag Day, a holiday started back in 1885, by a Wisconsin schoolteacher. Many years later we still pause on this day to honor the stars and the stripes, our beloved national emblem.
This afternoon, our co-op will be meeting here for our last Japan study. As we tidy up that unit on a culture very different from our own, we will look at the connection between our history and theirs - how one nation affected the other. As always, there will be a post on our co-op day soon!
In the meantime, I will be perusing the many wonderful links posted by Mary M. at 4Real; lots of patriotic ideas for our family's American history! Thanks, Mary!!!
And before I go, here is an excerpt from Scouting for Girls: The Original 1920 Girl Scout Handbook. According to this little volume of nostalgia, we have come a long way in how we are expected to treat our national symbol!
Respect Due the Flag
"The flag should be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It should not be displayed on stormy days or left out overnight, except during war. Although there is no authoratative rulling which compels civilians to lower the flag at sundown, good taste should impel them to follow the traditions of the Army and Navy in this sundown ceremonial. Primarily, the flag is raised to be seen and, secondarily, the flag is something to be guarded, treasured and so tradition holds it shall not be menaced by the darkness. To leave the flag out at night, unattended, is proof of shiftlessness, or at least carelessness ... (Oops)
An old, torn or soiled flag should not be thrown away, but shoud be destroyed, preferably by burning.
The law specifically forbids the use and representation of the flag in any manner or in any connection with mechandise for sale. (Guess we'd better toss those Old Navy shirts!)
When the "Star Spangled Banner" is played or sung, stand and remain standing in silence until it is finished.
The flag should, on being retired, never be allowed to touch the ground. (Ummm ...)
The flag should not be raised before sunrise, nor be allowed to remain up after sunset. (Again, oops.)
In placing the flag at half mast, it should be raised to half-mast position, from which it should be again raised to full mast before lowering. (I'm not sure we've ever had it at half-mast to begin with.)
The flag should never be draped. (Check.)
When the flag is hung against a wall, the blue field should be in the upper left corner if the stripes are horizontal; in the upper right corner if the stripes are vertical.
In the case of flags hung across the street, it is necessary to hang them by the points of the compass instead of right of left, because the right or left naturally varies according to whether the spectator is going up or down the street. When the flag is hung across a north and south street, the blue field should be toward the east, the rising, when across an east and west street, the field should be toward the north. (Never planned a parade, so I'm clean on this one.)
The flags of two or more nations displayed together should always be hung at the same level, and should be on separate staffs or halyards.
In the United states, when the American flag is carried with one other flag, it should be at the right. When it is carried with two other flags, it should be carried in the middle.
When the American flag is hung against a wall with other flags, it is placed at the spectator's right, if it is one of two; and in the middle if it is one of three.
The flag at half mast is a sign of mourning.
The flag flown upside down is a signal of distress.
On Memorial Day, May 30, the flag is flown at half mast during the morning and is raised at noon to full mast for the rest of the day."
Enjoy your day! God Bless America!