
HOW THE FLAG BECAME OLD GLORY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
HOW THE FLAG BECAME OLD GLORY
HOW THE FLAG BECAME OLD GLORY - THE FLAG GOES BY
OLD GLORY
IN THE LIGHT OF THE OLD NORTH CHURCH
LEXINGTON
ON THE EVE OF BUNKER HILL
THE FLAG OF FORT STANWIX
THE KNIGHT OF THE SEA
The work blossoms from a single, lively poem that celebrates the flag’s passage through towns and battlefields, then widens into a gentle history of the star‑spangled banner’s nickname. It follows a shy twelve‑year‑old cabin boy from Salem who, after a daring sea voyage, earns a modest reward and returns home with a story that will echo through the nation. Through his experience the narrative introduces readers to the early days when the flag began to symbolize more than cloth—it became a rallying point for courage and unity.
Interwoven with the boy’s tale are carefully chosen verses from well‑known poets, each illustrating a pivotal moment in America’s fight for independence and later conflicts. The author’s clear, modest voice guides listeners through battles, marches, and the growing sense of national pride, all while preserving the mystery of how the humble emblem earned the affectionate name “Old Glory.” This blend of poetry and historical vignette offers a respectful, vivid portrait of the flag’s early story.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (130K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by K Nordquist, Emanuela Piasentini and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2009-01-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
b. 1858
A little-known early 20th-century writer, she is remembered for turning the story of the American flag into a sweeping, accessible work of history and patriotic storytelling. Her best-known book blends research, narrative sketches, and verse to trace how "Old Glory" became a national symbol.
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