On July 4... --Part 2: A Real Bad Day for the Confederacy, A Starry Day for the Flag

1845--  Author Henry David Thoreau began his two-year experiment in simple living at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts.

1863--  Union troops under Gen. Ulysses Grant defeated Confederate forces at Vicksburg, Mississippi, ending a 14-month siege in the Civil War.  Occurring one day after the Confederate defeat at the Battle of Gettysburg.

1917--  In a ceremony in Paris, France honoring the French hero of the American  Revolution, U.S. Lt. Colonel Charles Stanton declared, "Lafayette, we are here!"

1946--  The Philippines became an independent republic after 48 years of U.S. rule.

1959--  America's 49-star flag was unveiled honoring Alaska's statehood.

1960--  America's 50-star flag was unveiled honoring Hawaii's statehood.

--CootDec

So, You Just Had $5.3 million Lying Around

At auction this past week, a gold eagle medallion presented by George Washington's family to the Marquis de Lafayette with what is believed to be the original ribbon and red leather box, was sold for $5.3 million.

It was bought by La Foundation de Chambran, Lafayette's home in France, where it will be displayed.

In 1783, Washington, Lafayette and other men from the Revolution formed the Society of Cincinnati which was devoted to keeping alive the Revolution's ideals. Eagle badges were given to its members.

Washington designed the badge. It was consigned to auction by Lafayettes's great-great granddaughter.

Interesting, But Too Expensive for This Coot. --Cooter