July 4th

Elizabeth is so excited to have her American Girl Doll, named "Elizabeth". She is an historical character from the colonial times. I made a doll dress for the 4th. Cam spent all day smoking meat on his Bandera. We organized a big celebration w/ some neighbors. We had a great time, even in the rain.

I was so happy to adorn our porch with my vintage 48 star flag. The number of stars on the American flag first grew from 46 to 48 in 1912 with the addition of New Mexico and Arizona. President William Howard Taft issued an Executive Order that year that formalized the appearance of the flag for the first time. The Order indicated that the stars were to be arranged in six horizontal rows of eight each. This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag. During this time, the United States emerged from the Great Depression and World War II as one of the leading nations of the world. Eight Presidents served under the 48-star flag; William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower - Also, Perhaps the most notable 48-star flag was the World War II “Flag of Liberation.” Shortly after 4:00 p.m., on July 20, 1945, General Eisenhower, General Patton, and Presdient Truman stood at attention while the
American flag was raised over the conquered city of Berlin. (that must have been an amazing site) In fitting symbolism, this was the same flag that had flown over the United States Capitol on December 7, 1941—the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. okay, enough of the history lesson.......







A thoughtful mind when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. And whatever
may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag, the government, the principles, the truths,
the history that belongs to the nation that sets it forth. The American flag has been a symbol of
Liberty and men rejoiced in it. - Henry Ward Beecher