The following article appeared in the Independent Republican, January 7, 1926.

SESQUICENTENNIAL HISTORY SKETCHES: The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence will be observed by the Sesquicentennial International Exposition, which opens at Philadelphia, June 1 1926.

THE AMERICAN FLAG.

When the question of selecting a suitable flag for the Sesquicentennial International Exposition arose, it became at once evident that because of the nature of the event which the exposition was to celebrate only one standard could properly be used. This was the flag of the United States of America.

With a few exceptions, our flag is the oldest in the world. It has stood substantially the same for nearly 150 years, while in other lands national emblems have changed as empires have fallen and vast political upheavals brought with them new banners to claim the allegiance of the populace.

Contrary to general belief, the flag of the United States was not an inspired creation. It was formed from the Continental Union flag by substituting in the canton a circlet of thirteen stars for the two crosses—St. George’s and St. Andrew’s—of Britain. The stripes were already there.

George Washington described its making thus: “We take the star from Heaven; the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her; and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.”

In the coat of arms of Washington there were, curiously, both stars and stripes represented, and many historians have sought to establish a connection between this and the conception of the flag. Except for the coincidence, not a scrap of evidence has ever been discovered to support this theory, however attractive as it is.

It was a year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence that the first legislation for the flag was enacted. On June 14, 1777, now celebrated by us as Flag Day, Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, adopted the following resolution:

“Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; and the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

This was the first official step toward the adoption of our national emblem. The resolution was officially published in August and the design first promulgated by Congress on September 3. Where it was first displayed is still a question of dispute, but it flew in the breeze at the battle of Brandywine on September 11; at Germantown on October 4, and in all subsequent encounters. The connection of Betsy Ross with it is a beloved legend enshrined in the hearts of school children.

In the spring of 1795, two more states having been added to the Union, the circle of thirteen stars was changed to a square of fifteen, to include the new states. In this form it remained for twenty-three years, and so it was when it inspired Francis Scott Key to write the immortal anthem of the Star Spangled Banner, which has become inseparable from it in the thought of Americans.

The last modification of the flag was in 1818, when, the number of states having grown to twenty and additional ones foreseen in the future, President Monroe signed an act to the effect that every new state admitted into the Union would be recognized on the 4th of July following its admission by the addition of a new star to the flag.

The bill was signed on April 14, 1818, and in the 108 years that have passed twenty-eight more stars have appeared in the blue field, but otherwise our flag has not changed.

END

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Forest City - Friday, December 18, marked the eighteenth anniversary of the entrance of Julius Freedman, of Forest City, into the movie field. He opened the family theatre at a time when the moving picture was in its infancy. Whether its popularity would last was a question in the minds of many, but apparently not to Mr. Freedman. He improved the Family theater, which originally was a dance hall, until it became a very attractive and cozy little theater, with a screen second to none, and during the years under his direction most of the “big” pictures that have won publicity and popularity have been shown here. With enthusiasm undimmed, and confidence in the future, Mr Freedman, last year, took his greatest step forward when he planned and erected the beautiful Freedman theater, which was opened to the public on Labor Day. It is equipped with a pipe organ and the highest quality screen and moving picture accessories and gives Forest City a theater the equal or superior of most picture places in the country. It will seat about 1,000 people.

Fair Hill - Harry Jagger bought a fine cow of Minnie Otis New Year’s day.

Jackson - Mrs. Hattie Tingley, lifelong resident of Jackson, died at her late home on January 3rd. Mrs. Tingley was born in Jackson on the I. J. Witter farm, Oct.1st, 1861. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Evander Tucker, a descendant of one of Jackson’s first pioneer families. Her mother, Miss Theodora Mott, was the adopted daughter of the Rev. J. B. Worden, formerly pastor of the Montrose and Jackson Baptist churches. Her grandfather, Stephen Tucker, came to Jackson in 1818, from New England. Mrs. Tingley was a wonderful mother, a loyal wife, a splendid Christian woman and her loss is mourned by a wide circle of friends.

Susquehanna - The Susquehanna borough council elected a new chief of police, M. J. Dean, aged 31 years, and a veteran of the World War. ALSO Our Grange has raised $212 for the girls’ dormitory being built at State College.

Rushville - Fire destroyed the large dwelling house of E. L. Blakeslee on New Year’s day. The fire started in the attic and had gained such headway, before being discovered, that it was impossible to put it out. Everything on the second floor, including all their clothing, was destroyed.