1492-Columbus discovered America. 1620-Pilgrims arrived on the "Mayflower" at Plymouth, Mass. 1775-The Revolutionary War began. 1776-Declaration of Independence signed. 1783-Treaty of Peace with Great Britain. 1789-George Washington elected first President. 1807-The steamboat invented by Robert Fulton. 1828-First railroad built in the United States. 1835-Invention of the Telegraph. 1861-Civil War began. 1863-Proclamation of freedom of Slaves. 1865-End of Civil War. 1913-Woodrow Wilson became President. 1917-War with Germany and Austria-Hungary. 1918-Armistice signed. 1919-Peace signed. ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN IN 1863, IN HONOR OF THE SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT AT GETTYSBURG Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that. nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate-we cannot consecrate --we cannot hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. RESPECT TO THE FLAG The raising of the Flag and the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" are always attended with impressive ceremonies. Flag etiquette requires that it shall not be hoisted before sunrise nor allowed to remain up after sunset. In the Army and Navy, when the colors are raised and lowered morning and evening, "To the Colors" or "The Star Spangled Banner" is played. Spectators are expected to uncover on these occasions. Military men in uniform render the salute prescribed for the occasion. On Memorial Day, May 30th, the Flag should be displayed at half-mast until noon, then hoisted to the top of the staff, where it remains until sunset. In displaying the Flag at half-mast, it should first be hoisted to the top of the staff and then lowered to half-mast. When the Flag is hung vertically, so it can be viewed from one side only, the blue field should be at the right, as one faces it. When hung horizontally, the field should be at the left. When the Stars and Stripes are passing on parade, or in review, spectators should, if walking, halt, and, if sitting, arise and stand at attention and uncover. It is also customary for Americans to stand with bared heads during the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner." In the public schools, when the Flag is brought forward, the children rise, give a military salute, and repeat in unison the pledge of allegiance:— "I pledge allegiance to my Flag, And to the Republic for which it stands; One Nation indivisible, With liberty and justice for all." NATIONAL ANTHEMS STAR SPANGLED BANNER Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and wild war's desolation, And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave AMERICA My country, 'tis of thee, Of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, Let music swell the breeze, Our fathers' God, to Thee, To thee we sing, Long may our land be bright Great God our King. THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS RIGHTS Citizens of the United States have many rights which cannot be taken from them, even by action of the government itself. Most of these rights are protected by provisions of the Federal and State constitutions. The following are the most important of these: THE RIGHT TO BE FREE.-Slavery was forever abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, adopted after the Civil War. THE RIGHT TO LIBERTY IN RELIGION.-A man may worship as he wishes, provided his manner of exercising this right is not unlawful. THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS. This permits citizens to speak and write their opinions. But this does not extend to the telling of untruths about others which will cause injury, and it does not extend to telling others to disobey the law. THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION.People may meet and discuss their affairs if such meetings are not disturbances of the peace. They may also petition the government and secure a hearing from their public officers. THE RIGHT TO FAIR TREATMENT IF ACCUSED OF CRIME. This includes a speedy and public trial, a judgment by jury and the right to a Writ of Habeas Corpus. The latter is to prevent the holding of a person without a trial. THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND HOLD OFFICE.-These are not universal rights like the others named above, but are given to men and women who are citizens and of a certain age. |