Five Things You Might Not Know About the U.S. Flag-- Part 5: 13 Stripes and Stars for New States

The rules for the design of the national flag were finalized after the War of 1812.

The design needed to be updated again again with the addition of five new states.  

On April 4, 1818, Congress passed the third Flag Act.  Instead of increasing the number of stripes from 15 to 20, the act reduced the number of stripes permanently to 13, honoring the original states.

Congress provided, however, that new stars would be added as new states joined the union.

With Hawaii's admission in 1959, the U.S. flag was modified one last time on July 4, 1960.  The 50th star.

Aren't you glad there aren't 50 stripes?  That would be a mighty strange looking flag.

--DaCoot

Other Facts About the Battle of Princeton

From the Mt. Vernon Organization.

**  WEATHER:  21 degrees at 8 am  "Fair & Frosty."    Some reported "shin deep snow" on the Clarke Farm battlefield.

**  STRENGTHS:    American - 4,500 est. with 35 artillery pieces.  British - 1,200 est. with  6 to 9 artillery pieces.

**  CASUALTIES:  Exact numbers are not known and estimates vary.  Fischer reports 232 killed and wounded for the British with maybe another  200 to 300 captured.  American losses were likely 31-37 killed, upwards of  37 wounded and 1 captured.

**  At the time of the battle, Princeton University was known as the College of New Jersey.  The name was changed to Princeton in 1896.

**  The Continental Congress convened in Nassau Hall from June 30, 1783, to November 4, 1783.  Congress moved here from Philadelphia to avoid risk from mutinous Continental  Army officers in and near Philadelphia.

--Cooter

Andrew Pickens, Patriot Commander-- Part 2: At the Battle of Cowpens and U.S. Representative

In the spring of 1778, Andrew Pickens became the colonel of a regiment of South Carolina militia which he later led to victory at the Battle of Kettle Creek.  In 1780, he became a prisoner when the British captured Charleston and he accepted a parole, agreeing to sit out the war.

Later that year, he returned to the war when Loyalists burned his home.

On January 17, 1781, he commanded a brigade of South Carolina militia at the Battle of Cowpens, a decisive victory for the Patriots.  After the battle, he was promoted to rank of brigadier general.  He was later wounded at the Battle of Eutaw Springs in September.

In 1782, he was elected to  the South Carolina General Assembly in 1782 and went on to serve with them for a decade.

He purchased land on the Seneca River  and constructed Hopewell Plantation, which would become a frequent site of negotiations with Native Americans.

From 1783 to 1795, Pickens represented South Carolina in the United States House of Representatives.  On August 17, 1817, he passed away at the age of 77, several months after his son Andrew Pickens Jr. was sworn in as the Governor of South Carolina.  He is buried near Pendleton, South Carolina.

--Cooter

A Native American Timeline-- Part 8: Indian Citizenship Act, the Code Talkers, Indian Civil Rights Act

**  JUNE 2, 1924:  U.S. Congress passes Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship  to all Native Americans born in the territorial limits of the country.  Previously, citizenship had been limited depending upon what percentage of Indian ancestry the person had, whether they had served in the military, or, of they were women, were married to a U.S, citizen.

**  MARCH 4, 1929:  Charles Curtis serves as the first Native American U.S. vice president under  President Herbert Hoover.

**  MAY 1942:  Members of the Navajo Nation develop a code to transmit messages and radio messages to U.S.  armed forces during World War II.  Eventually, hundreds of  Code Talkers from multiple  Indian tribes serve with the U.S. Marines during he war.

**  APRIL 11, 1968:  The Indian Civil Rights Act is signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson, granting Indians many of the benefits guaranteed under the Bill of Rights.

**  MARCH 15, 2021:  Representative  Deb Haaland of New Mexico is confirmed as the Secretary of the Interior, making her the first Native American to lead a cabinet department.

"Growing up in my mother's Pueblo household made me fierce," she tweeted on her confirmation for the post.  "I'll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all our protected land."

--Cooter

A Native American Timeline-- Part 7: Dawes Act, Wounded Knee and the Choctow Telephone Squad in WW I

**  FEBRUARY 8, 1887:  President Grover Cleveland  signs the Dawes Act, giving the U.S. president authority  to divide up land allotted to Indians in reservations to individuals.

**  DECEMBER 15, 1890:  Sitting Bull is killed  during a confrontation with Indian police in Grand River, South Dakota.

**  DECEMBER 29, 1890:    U.S. armed forces  surround Ghost Dancers Big Foot near Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, demanding the surrender of their weapons.  An estimated 150 Indians are killed in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre. along with 25 men of the cavalry.

**  JANUARY 29, 1907:  Charles  Curtis becomes the first  Indian U.S. Senator.

**  SEPTEMBER 1918:  Choctow soldiers use their native language to transmit secret messages for U.S. troops during  World War I's Meuse-Argonne Offensive on the Western Front.  The Choctow Telephone Squad provide Allied forces with a critical edge over the Germans.

I had heard of the  Navajo Code Talkers, but not these men.  Interesting.

--Cooter

The Dewey Medal-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

I found mention of this medal being given to Ensign Henry E. Pearson who commanded the USS Zafiro at the Battle of Manila Bay.  I had never heard of the Dewey Medal, so Wikipedia here I come.

It was a military decoration of the United States Navy established by the U.S. Congress on June 3, 1898, to recognize the leadership of George Dewey during the Spanish-American War and the sailors and Marines under his command.  Specifically it was for the Battle of Manila Bay.

To receive one, the person had to have served on one of these ships at the battle on May 1. 1898:

USS  Baltimore

USS Boston

USS Concord

USS  McCullough

USS  Olympia

USS  Petrel

USS Raleigh

--Cooter

We Remember People We Lost in 2020-- Part 6: Brimly, Osmond, Dubois, Lewis, Rogers and Morricone

WILFORD BRIMLEY, 85

Recognized for his thick mustache and down-home drawl and performances in "The China Syndrome," Cocoon," Absence of Malice" and  "The Natural."  Was a real-life cowboy.  Died August 1.

KEN OSMOND (EDDIE HASKELL), 76

If Eddie Haskell doesn't do it, then think "Leave It to Beaver."  Wally's buddy and character indeed.  Died May 18.

JA'NET DUBOIS, 74

Played neighbor Willona Woods on "Good Times" TV show and co-write and sang the theme song to "The Jeffersons."    You know, "Moving On Up."  Okay, stop singing it now.  Died February 17.

REP. JOHN LEWIS, 80

Famed Civil Rights activist and member of the U.S. House of Representatives.  One of the 13 original Freedom Riders and led the "Bloody Sunday" march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.  Died July 17.

KENNY ROGERS, 81

Sang many crossover hits from country to pop like "The Gambler," "Islands in the Stream" and "We've Got Tonight."  First gained fame in the 1960s with the group First Edition and "Just Dropped In (To see What Condition My Condition Was In)."  Died March 20.

ENNIO MORRICONE, 91

Italian composer who orchestrated more than 500 movies including the Spaghetti westerns "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."  Died July 6.

Voting in the 1918 Election: A War Winding Down and a Full-Fledged Pandemic

One hundred and two years ago on Tuesday, November 5, Americans were heading to the polls to vote.  It was not a presidential election, but stakes were high.  People were electing members of the 66th Congress.  It was also the lone election to take place during the United States' involvement in World War I (though it was winding down) and there was a full-scale pandemic going on at the time.

Campaigning was disrupted tremendously around the country as states had banned large gatherings.  Nebraska, for example, lifted a ban on public gatherings to allow campaigning five days before the election.

The president was Democrat Woodrow Wilson, but the republicans swept to control of both houses in Congress.

This was also a big election for women suffragists.

And, Now We have 2020.  --Cooter

Buckeye Presidents-- Part 5: Outsized, Overshadowed, Births and Assassinations

At the time, Ohio was one of only three swing states along with New York and Indiana which helps explain the state's outsized place in presidential politics of the era.  Benjamin Harrison was a "two-for-one guy" because he was born in Ohio and spent his adult life in Indiana.

Yet, Rutherford B. Hayes, in particular, read the Constitution as giving the president a more modest role than big personalities, beginning with Teddy Roosevelt, who would come later.  He was one of only two presidents who chose to seek only one term.

"He really felt that his role was not to overshadow Congress," McLochlin said.  "Some would say that's eroded over the years."

The elder Harrison was born in Virginia, but spent most of his adult life in Ohio.  The others, which include Ulysses S. Grant, president from 1869 to 1877; and William Howard Taft, president from 1909 to 1913, were all Ohio natives.

William Henry  Harrison wasn't the only Ohio president to meet a tragic end.  Garfield and McKinley were assassinated --  Garfield about six months after taking office in 1881 and McKinley about six months into his second term in 1901.  Harding was in the third year of his term in 1923 when he died of a heart attack.

--Cooter

Buying Lower California and Mexican Claims in 1919

From the January 2, 2019, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"President Wilson is requested to begin negotiations for the purchase from Mexico of the Peninsula of Lower California in a resolution introduced today by Senator Ashurst of Arizona.

"Ashurst also introduced a resolution directing the war department to investigate claims by American citizens growing out of damage to American property by Mexican bandits since December 1, 1912."

Nothing, Obviously, Ever Came of It.  --Cooter

The Rise of Daylight Saving Time-- Part 2: World War I, Bills and Vetoes

However, World War I changed all this.  The Germans were the first to adopt Daylight Saving Time (DST) on April 30, 1916, as a way to save on coal-powered lighting in factories.  The British politicians followed suit two days later and set their clocks forward.  Most other European countries did the same.

Time changed slower in the United States, which did not join the war until 1917.  Stockbrokers and manufacturers pushed for it,  but the railroads opposed it fearing a change like that would cause train crashes.  So were farmers, who worked by the sun anyway.

The stockbrokers won, the bill passed Congress and President Wilson signed it.  But, there was a problem as the date the time changed was on March 31, 1918, Easter Sunday.  But, the change went smoothly.

By the next year, the war was over and many wanted DST over as well.  Farmers were still against it and some two dozen bills were introduced in Congress to repeal it.  One passed both houses, but Wilson vetoed it.  A vote to overturn the veto failed.  Another bill passed but again Wilson vetoed it.  This time, though, opponents got the 2/3 vote necessary to overturn it.  DST was dead.

But cities like Pittsburgh and New York passed DST laws and it was brought back for a short time during WW II.  States had various DSTs, including Iowa which at one time had 23 different times depending on what town you were in.

In 1966, President Johnson made DST the law of the land.

I'm thinking DST Year Round would be the thing to do.  I hate changing all the clocks.

Technologically Challenged Me.  --Coot?

Captured German Cannon Coming to DeKalb in 1919?

From the January 23, 2019, MidWeek   "Looking Back."

1919, 100 Years Ago.

"If a bill , introduced in the house by Hon. Charles E.. Fuller of this district, passes, DeKalb, as well as the rest of the cities of Congressman Fuller's district,  is to have a real souvenir of the great war in the shape of one of the captured German cannons."


Charles Eugene Fuller was the U.S. Representative from Illinois Congressional District 12, Republican, elected in 1914, who had been reelected in 1916 by defeating  Socialist candidate  Oscar Ogren 93.4% to 6.6%.

Rep. Fuller died in 1926.  He had been a member of the House for 22 years.  Hometown Belvidere, Illinois.

There were Socialists running in most Illinois districts in 1916.  All were easily defeated by huge margins.

War Souvenirs.  --Cooter

100th Anniversary of the Legion Is March 15!!!

Happy Birthday to Us!!!

Our organization was founded on March 15-17,1919, in the American Club in Paris, France, by members of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) after the conclusion of World War I.  Another centennial commemoration will mark the May 8-10, 1919,  St. Louis Caucus.   Then, we'll have another anniversary on September 16, 1919, when the American Legion was formally chartered by the United States Congress.

So, this year, we will have three times to observe the 100th anniversary.

That's a lot of time and a lot of history.

OTHER 1919 EVENTS IN LEGION HISTORY

It was at the St. Louis Caucus that the name "The American Legion" was adopted as the official name.  The draft preamble and constitution were approved.

On June 9, 1919, the National Executive Committee adopted the Legion emblem.

The American Legion Auxiliary was also formed in 1919.

November  10-12, 1919, the first Legion Convention was held in Minneapolis.  It was decided to locate the national headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana, instead of Washington, D.C..

FIRST POST

The very first post of the American Legion was actually established before the organization on March 15, 1919, when the General John Joseph Pershing Post 1 was established in Washington, D.C., on March 7 and obtained its charter on March 19.  According to the Legion Centennial website it is called the Pioneer Post.  However, the name of that organization now appears to be the George Washington Post 1.

The Legion played a leading role in the drafting and passing of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, better known as the G.I. Bill.  In addition to organizing commemorative events, members provide assistance at VA hospitals and is politically involved in lobbying on behalf of veterans.

Also important, the Legion has always promoted Americanism.

From Wikipedia and the American Legion site.

Camp Wadsworth-- Part 2: Named After a Union General and Built In A Hurry

Continued from October 29, 2018.

It was decided that a division of the New York National Guard would train there.

Camp Wadsworth was named for Union Brigadier General James S. Wadsworth, a prominent man from New York and who had been killed in 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness.  His son, James S. Wadswoth, Jr. was also in the Union Army during that war.  His grandson, James Wolcott Wadsworth Jr, was a U.S. Senator from New York during World War I.

There was a two-month deadline to build the camp.  Starting in mid-July 1917, thousands of civilian workers cleared trees, laid pipes, built roads and temporary structures.

National Guard troops from New York began arriving in August.  Eventually, all units of the New York National Guard's 6th Division were there and were federalized as the U.S. Army's 27th Division.

They departed for France in May 1918.

--Cooter

I Sure Got My History's Worth Last Week-- Part 3: Elihu Washburne's House

On Friday, August 24, I noticed a sign out by the Washburne home in Galena saying that it was open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..  I've been wanting to visit this place for many years, but it is usually closed.  And, it was 11 a.m..  I stopped.

This is an impressive house and a state historic site.  Home to one of Galena's most influential men, Elihu Washburne.  He was a multi-term U.S. Congressman from Illinois and a great friend of U.S. Grant.  He was largely responsible for Grant getting back into the Army as becoming a brigadier general (one star).

On election night 1868, Grant and others were in this house, which was hooked up to a telegraph, to follow voting results and was there when he found out he was the new president.

Also, two of Elihu's brothers were U.S. representatives from Wisconsin and Minnesota.

An Important Man Few Know Today.  --DaCoot

U.S. Flag Adopted Today, 241 Years Ago

The Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. flag this date in 1777.  That would be 241 years ago.

Are your flags up?

Long May It Wave.  --DaCoot

Veterans Day Through the Ages-- Part 5: Creation of the Three-Day Weekend

However, it was many years before those who had served and lived through World War I began to think of it other than Armistice Day.

Veterans were pleased with the celebration of Veterans Day as it continued to honor and recognize the importance of that date to World War I veterans and still included those who served in later wars.

Then the federal government interfered in 1968 with the creation of three-day  holidays for federal employees with the passage of the Uniform Holiday Bill.  The holidays affected were Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

Officials believed these three-day weekends would encourage tourism throughout the country.  However, this meant that these holidays would not always occur on the exact day as previously celebrated.

Veterans Day: Through the Decades, Across the Wars-- Part 3: Honor Guard at the Tomb

Today, the Tomb of the Unknowns has an honor guard 24 hours a day, regardless of weather.  On veterans Day, the president or some other high-ranking government official places a wreath at the tomb to honor those who have served their country.

In 1926, Congress passed a resolution that states, "the recurring anniversary of November 11, 1918, should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations."

They further suggested the president make a proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day.

Bill for Pensions to Widows and Orphans of Spanish-American War Veterans in 1915

From Dec. 30, 2015, MidWeek "Looking Back."

1915, 100 years ago.

"A bill to pension the widows and orphans of soldiers and sailors of the Spanish-American War, was introduced in the present session of congress.  Under provisions of the bill, the widow of any soldier or sailor who served during the Spanish-American war, the Philippines Insurrection or the Boxer uprising in China is to be pensioned at $12 per month and $2.00 per month for every child under 16 years of age."

Hey, what about the Marines?

--Cooter

Ten Things You Might Not Know About World War I-- Part 2

3.  Russia mobilized 12 million in its military, the largest of the war.  More than 3/4 ended up killed, wounded or missing.

4.  Dogs were used as messengers and also laid down telegraph lines.

5.  The most successful aviation fighter pilot was Baron von Richtofen (1892-1918) who shot down 80 Allied planes.  France's Rene Fonck (1894-1953) had the most success on the other side with 75 confirmed kills.

6.  To  increase the size of the US Army during the war, Congress passed the Selective Service Act in May 1917.  By the end of the war, 2.7 million men had been drafted.  Another 1.3 million volunteered.

Four More to Come.  --Cooter