Friday, March 4, 2011

150 Years Ago Today The First Confederate Flag Is Raised

On March 4, 186, the first Confederate flag was raised over the Alabama State capitol at 3:30 PM by Letitia Tyler, granddaughter of former U.S. President John Tyler. 

The flag, which flew on a flagpole by the capitol clock, was not the Confederate Battle Flag, but the "First National Pattern," also known as the Stars and Bars.  Mrs. Jefferson Davis arrived by steamboat that afternoon, but unfortunately was too late for the raising of the Colors.

. She went first by the First White House, as she had not seen it of course, and on to the Exchange Hotel where Jefferson Davis was staying.

There is a book you can order, The Flags of the Confederacy, An Illustrated History, by Devereaux Cannon, Jr., that should provide very interesting reading, especially if you like flags as much as I do, since I sold flags for 37 years!

Also, by the way, on March 4, 1861 Lincoln was sworn in as President of the United States of America. Both events took place 150 years ago today. Amazing, isn't it?

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