Arnold Friberg's masterpiece The Prayer at Valley Forge. Prints of this painting are available again. You can learn more by clicking here.

One of my favorite paintings. Tom Freeman's masterpiece, Divide and Conquer. This work depicts the great battles of the U.S.S. Constitution. Known to the old as Old Ironsides, the ship that could not be sunk. Prints of this painting are available as well. Click here for more information.

Our national motto "In God We Trust" was made popular by Francis Scott Key's poem The Star Spangled Banner. In the final verse, he wrote: Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just - And this be our motto- "In God is our trust!"

On July 4th 1776, our Forefathers dedicated a new land of freedom by attaching their names to The Declaration of Independence. It was a day that sparked the era of the common man. No more would tyranants and silly kings run the lives of free and equal men. King George's incredible short-sightedness can be seen in a journal entry. While American's everywhere were lighting Lady Liberty's torch, King George recorded in his diary:

July 4th, 1776: Nothing of Importance happened today.

Boy, was he wrong.

America's flags, filled with America's mottos, speak of a people who longed from liberty more than life. In many ways it is our supreme art. I believe it still is.

An Appeal to Heaven / Une Applation au Ciel

Offically adopted by the Massachusetts Navy in April 1776, this flag was used by George Washington on his squadron of six schooners. (An outfit which he prepared at his own expense.) The tree is a New England Pine. You will remember that the Sons of Liberty used to rally under a large tree, in Boston Massachusetts, which they called "The Liberty Tree". It became a symbol of American independence. Knowing we were daring to fight the greatest military power of the day, our people knew they could only rely on God's greater power, thus we "APPEAL TO HEAVEN".

The original Liberty Tree was one of a group of elms in an enclosure at the intersection of Essex Street and Orange Street (now Washington Street) in colonial Boston. Some 120 years old at the time, it was the largest tree in the grove and the one chosen for the colonists' first public statement of resistance to the British Crown. Samuel Adams made a point of calling Revolution meetings under the Liberty Tree and the effegies of British Tax collectors were often hung here. When British soldiers ruthlessly cut down the original Liberty Tree in 1775 it yielded 14 cords of firewood (A cord equals a stack measuring 4 þ 4 þ 8 feet.) Liberty Trees and Liberty Poles became the symbols before which Sons of Liberty met to stir up opposition to the British Crown.

The American Elm (Ulmus americana) has held an important place in our nation's life since the days of the Pilgrims. They found great elms growing in nearby forests and planted the saplings along cart paths as the first shade trees in the New World. After shading America's landscape for three centuries, the mighty elm sadly fell victim to Dutch Elm Disease (DED). DED is a fungus which clogs the tree's vascular system an cuts off it supply of nutrients. The disease, which originated in Europe, has destroyed an estimated 100 million elms since 1932.

In 1963, Elm Research Institute was founded to save the species from extinction. ERI funded research through major universities during a 20 year period. The good news came in 1983 when the American Liberty Elm (Ulmus americana libertas) was born. The tree, named for the legendary "Liberty Tree," is the first pure-bred American elm proven resistant to DED.

The Liberty Elm has the classic vase-shaped canopy, vigorous upright trunk and will tower to 100 feet at maturity and live up to 200 years (unlike Asian and European hybrids). These trees can now be ordered from the Elm Tree Farm.

The tree of liberty must be watered periodically with the blood of tyrants and patriots alike. It is its natural manure. - Thomas Jefferson.

Don't Tread on Me

The Rattlesnake Flag has appeared in various forms during our nation's history. The Rattlesnake (like the Bald Eagle) is a uniquely American animal. Rattlesnakes venom can be highly toxic and if their territory is trespassed they can defend themselves most aggressively. Despite their scary nature, rattlesnakes, like the American people, just want to be left alone. Don't Tread on Me still applies today. Americans will first shake their rattle to warn enemies that we can strike but only attack others to defend our homeland.

This flag was first used by Commodore Esek Hopkins, the first Commander in Chief of the Continental Fleet. Rattlesnake flags were very popular in Rhode Island when Hopkins ships first set sail in February, 1776. Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina copied this flag and presented it to the South Carolina legislature; for that reason it is also called the Gadsen Flag.

This striped flag was flown from the prow of ships after the new American fleet was assembled in Philadelphia in December 1775. It is believed to have flown aboard the Continental Fleet's flagship Alfred, in January, 1776. Today, the only US Navy ship authorized to fly this flag is the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. Another variation was used at the seige of Newport in October 1778 and by the Culpepper Minute Men. It may have been inspired by Benjamin Franklin's famous, Join or Die snake dating back to the French and Indian War.

Liberty

This is one of the oldest flag designs still in use in America. It is the basis for the Flag of the State of South Carolina. In 1765 protestors against the Stamp Act flew a blue flag with three white crescents inside. Ten years later, on the 13th of September 1775, Col. William Moultrie was ordered to capture Fort Johnson in South Carolina. His troops already wore the slogan Liberty or Death on their caps and so this banner was a natural fit. It was the first American flag to fly in the South. Some versions of this flag have the word "LIBERTY" in the crescent moon while others do not. The South Carolina state flag still contains the crescent moon from this Revolutionary flag.

This same flag was carried by the South Carolina Militia on Sullivan Island in Charleston Harbor on June 28, 1776 when the British were defeated at the Battle of Fort Moultrie. The Palmetto tree was added to the flag later in memory of this battle. When the people of Charleston heard that the British planned to capture Sullivan's Island, Colonel Moultrie had a fort built Palmetto logs. When the warships came, the captain and his soldiers defeated them soundly since the cannonballs that the ships fired could not destroy the fort. They simply they sank into the soft, but tough logs.

Liberty and Fame: For These We Strive

Captian Abraham Markoe presented this flag to the First Philadelphia Light Horse Troop in 1775. This troop had been formed by a group of Philadelphia gentlemen on November 17, 1774. Many of these men supplied their own uniforms, military equipment and horses. The British Union Flag was originally painted in the canton but later it was covered over with the thirteen stripes. This troop escorted General Washington when he took command of the Continental Army. The Light Horse Troop later carried their flag in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Princeton and Trenton.

The Indian represents the bravery of the New World and is an American patriot in disguise. The angel blows the trumpet of warning. In essence this flag declares that Americans strive for liberty and fame.

Conquer or Die

The flag of the Bedford Minute Men may be the first flag of the Revolution. It was used at the Battle of Concord on April 19th, 1775. It was carried by Nathaniel Page, a Bedford Minuteman.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard 'round the world.

The Latin inscription "Vince Aut Morire" means "Conquer or Die". The arm emerging from the clouds represents the arm of God. The original can be seen at the Bedford Town Library.

I Don't Wish to be Dominated!

This is the flag of the First Continental Foot Regiment. In 1776, Edward Hunt was placed in command of the first foot regiment by the Continental Congress. At first this regiment consisted mainly of Pennsylavania frontier fiflemen. They were captured at Fort Washington in December 1776 but this regiment would go on to serve in each of the colonies during the course of the Revolution. This banner was carried at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth and Yorktown. It features a hunter fighting a netted tiger. The flag probably dates back to 1747 and Benjamin Franklin. The original is now in the Pennsylvania State Library in Harrisburg.

No Other [but God] Governs

This flag belonged to Pulaski's legion. It was made in 1778 by the Moravian Sisters for the independent corps of light cavalry and infantry in Baltimore. Count Pulaski carry the banner through numerous battles. When he fell at Savannah in 1779 his flag was saved by a wounded lieutenant. Today it can be viewed at the Maryland Historical Society, in Baltimore. Henry W. Longfellow wrote a hymn about this flag.

Hymn of The Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem at the Consecration of Pulaski's Banner.

When the dying flame of day
Through the chancel shot its ray,
Far the glimmering tapers shed
Faint light on the cowled head;
And the censer burning swung,
Where, before the altar, hung
The crimson banner, that with prayer
Had been consecrated there.
And the nuns' sweet hymn was heard the while,
Sung low, in the dim, mysterious aisle.

"Take thy banner! May it wave
Proudly o'er the good and brave;
When the battle's distant wail
Breaks the sabbath of our vale.
When the clarion's music thrills
To the hearts of these lone hills,
When the spear in conflict shakes,
And the strong lance shivering breaks.

"Take thy banner! and, beneath
The battle-cloud's encircling wreath,
Guard it, till our homes are free!
Guard it! God will prosper thee!
In the dark and trying hour,
In the breaking forth of power,
In the rush of steeds and men,
His right hand will shield thee then.

"Take thy banner! But when night
Closes round the ghastly fight,
If the vanquished warrior bow,
Spare him! By our holy vow,
By our prayers and many tears,
By the mercy that endears,
Spare him! he our love hath shared!
Spare him! as thou wouldst be spared!

"Take thy banner! and if e'er
Thou shouldst press the soldier's bier,
And the muffled drum should beat
To the tread of mournful feet,
Then this crimson flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee."

The warrior took that banner proud,
And it was his martial cloak and shroud!

The Sons of Liberty: No Taxation without Represenation!

Every American owes a debt of gratitude to Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. Their constant refusal to submit to British rule lite the spark that fanned our nation's flame. Their flag was 13 red and white stripes symbolizing the unity of the 13 colonies. Adams knew that the Revolution would only work if the colonies where united. Otherwise, the British could easily pick the rebels apart. This flag grew out of the protests against the British impositions on American freedom; such as the Stamp Act on October 7th 1765.

A delegate from nine of the colonies formed the "Stamp Act Congress". They petitioned, rebeled and agrued until the act was repealed on March 18th, 1766. Their flag of nine red and white stripes became known as the "Rebellious Stripes."

On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty protested the parliament's Tea Act by throwing a shipment of tea in Boston into the harbor; this became known as the Boston Tea Party. The colonists' believed the tax to be a violation of their legitimate economic liberty since they had no say in parliment. Three and a half years after the Tea Party the thirteen colonies came together to fight for independence and the nine stripes became thirteen. Our 13 stripes honor their spirit today.

Son of the Republic, Look and Learn

Called Washington's Flag, the Commander in Chief's Flag, the Life Guard's Flag, and the Valley Forge Flag, this flag flew over Washington's headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The original is on display at Valley Forge. Another version, with the stars in a circle was also popular. It is shown here in a painting by Rembrant Peale.

General Washington had a personal protection guard called the "Life Guard". It consisted of a few hand picked men from each colony. This special guard carried these colors. It has been suggested that these colors may have been the origin of the field of stars in our stars and stripes. I find it personally interesting that the new flag of the European Union copies this motif. Blue is still considered to be American's "prime national color."

A New Constellation in the Heavens

The old British flag which had once been so dear tothe colonists, and which they now so hated, was pulled down from every place, and the new American flag hoisted in its place. For the colonists had long ago learned that no peace with England was possible. They had once offered a petition to the king, in which they had asked that peace might be restoed on certain condidtions. This petition, the king would not even hear read; and so the colonists had long known that their only hope lay in face-to-face battle with the English troops.

Now that they had declared their independence, they would no longer bear an English flag. At the begining of the war, there had been in use a variety of flags. One flag was made of 13 red and white strips representing the colonies with a British Union Jack in the corner. But when the Declaration of Independence came, the colonies wanted a truly American flag.

Congress voted on June 17th, 1777 "that the flag of the thriteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, and the Union be thirteen white stars in the blue field, representing a new constellation."

The first truly American flag was hoisted by Paul Jones over an American ship-of-war. It is said that the circular design of stars was by George Washington, Francis Hopkins and Betsy Ross. The Congress however did not specify an arrangement for the stars in the canton, as a result there are many variations in the flags that followed until 1912.

The best explaination for the 5-pointed star that I have heard comes from the ancient teaching that a stars points must be counted as extending and indenting. For example, the Star of David has not 6 points as is first apparent but 12 points. To ancient Israel, the Star of David was a symbol of the coming Zion as later mentioned in John's Book of Revelation. The star's 12 points symbolized the 12 gates of Zion and the 12 tribes of Israel.

Likewise the 5-pointed star has not 5, but 10 points. A reminder of the lost 10 tribes which many of the founders believed included them. Benjamin Franklin and George Washington placed a 5-pointed star on the flag because 5 (or 10) is less than 6 (or 12). They viewed it as a mark of incompleteness and a reminder of a promise of further truth yet to come with the return of Christ. The early American Christians viewed this as "until Christ returns this nation and its freedom is as good as we can hope for. It is good, but not complete." Whether or not you buy into their reasoning, I have chosen to look at the flag and the 5-pointed star as a promise of greater things to come.

Don't Give Up the Ship!

During the War of 1812, this flag flew aboard Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship "Lawrence" while commanding an American squadron in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. Perry had named his ship after Captain James Lawrence, the hero of an earlier sea battle off New England whose dying words were "Don't Give Up The Ship". Here is the story:

Don't Give Up the Ship! This has come to be so much a watchword among our people, that it would never do for us to pass on without learning what it means. You have already learned the meaning of "Taxation without Representation," "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." You will recall, too, that battle in the Revolution where "Molly Stark " was the watchword; then there was the attack by Ethan Allen on the fort-when he cried, "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress I command you to surrender."

All these sayings uttered at one time or another by some loyal son of America, have been passed down in our history, until they have come to be immortal, that is, never-dying sayings.

And now let us see how it was that "Don't give up the Ship!" came to be another of these immortal sayings.

There was in our navy, a ship called the Hornet -- a twin, perhaps, to the fiery Wasp that you have heard about. This Hornet, with Captain Lawrence as its commander, was buzzing about in pretty nearly the same part of the ocean in which we found the Wasp -- on the lookout for some unlucky English vessel into which to fix its stings. Soon up came the English Peacock, -- strutting along, I imagine, under full sail, feeling as vain and sure of success as a real peacock might have felt when about to attack so small a thing as a hornet. But size isn't everything; as we have already found in many a battle in the history of our country.

The Peacock gave the signal for battle. Instantly the furious little Hornet flew at the Peacock, and an angrier little hornet, with hotter stings, you never saw.

Boom! boom! boom! buzz! buzz! buzz! hiss! Hiss! hiss! went the fire from both Peacock and Hornet. So fast and so thick flew the balls, so hot and so terrible was the battle, that in fifteen minutes the proud Peacock had lost all her glory and her pride, all her beauty and her courage, and lay upon the waters a complete wreck.

Her hold was now half full of water; and, knowing that she must sink, her commander surrendered to Lawrence, the crew were taken prisoners and transferred to the Hornet.

The generous way in which Lawrence treated his prisoners won the hearts of the British even; and his bravery carried delight to the hearts of his countrymen.

When he came into Boston harbor with the Hornet, he was greeted with shouts and hurrahs; and another vessel was given him, while the Hornet was set aside for repairs.

Now, this new vessel which was given into the charge of Captain Lawrence, had been, from its very beginning, an unlucky vessel. So much so, indeed, that the sailors were afraid to board her, believing that she was fated, and must surely bring only sorrow to her crew.

But brave Captain Lawrence willingly took command of her; feeling confident and secure after his recent victory.

No sooner was he ready to sail forth from Boston Harbor, than he met in battle the Shannon, an English vessel. I wish I could tell you that the gallant Lawrence again came out victorious. But, instead, I shall have to tell you that after a hot, fierce battle of only fifteen minutes -- a battle as fierce, and hot, and terrible as had been that between the Wasp and the Frolic, or between the Hornet and the Peacock -- the unlucky vessel was reduced to a mere wreck. At the very beginning of the fight, Lawrence himself, who always stood in the very thickest of the fire, fell mortally wounded.

Thus folded in his country's flag, Lawrence was carried by the British to Halifax, where he was buried with the respect and honor which he bad so richly deserved.

Very carefully did his officers carry below their much loved commander; and Lawrence, not forgetting his charge even in dying, whispered almost with his last breath, "Don't give up the ship!"

The British, wild with delight, that at last, after so many defeats, victory was once more on their side, swarmed upon the deck of the American vessel, singing and shouting with joy.

But when they found the brave Lawrence lying dead, they did not forget how nobly and how kindly he had dealt with the English prisoners at his victory over the English Peacock. And so, seizing the American flag, which they had torn from the mast with such yells of delight, they carefully lifted the unfortunate commander, and wrapped around him this banner which he had so loved, and for which he had so bravely fought.

In God We Trust

Francis Scott Key was born in Maryland, the year 1779. He grew to be a handsome young man and didn't lack enthusiasm for fife. His schooling opportunities were better than average and he graduated from college and went on to law school. After working in his own office for a time, he moved to Washington D.C., where he was offered a partnership in his uncle's law firm. His uncle and brother-in-law were very prominent and considered to be some of the most distinguished attorneys of their time.

Francis was drawn to poetry and enjoyed putting his thoughts on paper, though he didn't pursue it seriously. He was a religious man and supported the American Sunday School Union. The organizations purpose was two-fold, they promoted the founding of Sunday Schools and helped to publish books and manuals for children and adults.

When Francis learned of his friends imprisonment on a British War Ship, he obtained permission from President Madison to negotiate his release. While on board the ship he was detained all night while the battle went on. He anxiously watched as the British bombarded Fort McHenry. Throughout the night, he could see the Americans stiff held the fort as the bombs burst in the air. Then in the first light of dawn, he saw the flag still waving over the fort. The scene inspired him to write the words to our National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner". He scratched them on an old letter he had in his pocket.

Oh! SAY, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming:

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming,

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;

Oh! say, does that Star-spangled Banner still wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mist of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam-

In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream;

'Tis the Star-spangled Banner, Oh! long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is the band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a country would leave us no more?

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave.

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave!

And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh! thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their loved homes and the foe's desolation;

Bless'd with victory and peace, may our Heaven-rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just--

And this be our motto-"In God is our trust!"

And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The words were set to music and in 1931 it was officially made America's National Anthem. The original Fort McHenry flag is displayed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. This design, born with the second flag act on January 13, 1794, is our only official flag ever to have more than thirteen stripes. It was decided that adding one strip per state would make for an enormous flag and so it was decided to add one star per state and leave the orginial 13 stripes used by the Sons of Liberty.

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