The Washington times., 1906-06-14
Flag Day Exercises Held in
ALI the Public Schools.
STARS AND STRIPES THEME
Devotion to "0ld Glory" Is Told
in Song, Speech, and
Recitation.

All the children in the public schools
of the District, learning the lessons that
viii prepare them for their life's work.
today showed that they had learned the
greatest Of all American teachings.
patriotism. and devotion 10 the flag of
the United States
This was Flag Day in the District OF
Columbia and in all those States and
Territories and possessions where floats
on the breeze the Stars and Stripes.
In practically all the school houses OF
the country children. small and large.
recited patriotic poems, sang national
airs, and heard distinguished men tell
OF the greatness and power represented
by the national flag.
But in the city Of Washington, the
Capital of the country, the day was
especially and elabOrately celebrated
In every school iE the city and county
there were beautiful exercises, marches,
songs, recitattOns. and speeches. Little
tots, scarce llsping their way laborious-
ly through the alphabet. sang verses
from those great national anthems
which have been the inspiration Of SOL
diers on the battlefield. Older scholars
recited poems telling of the greatness
Of their country, and finished orators,
chosen from the ranks OF the country s
greatest men, spoke % the children.
telling them of the Lessons left behind
by the great men OF the nation.
Idea Originated in Washington.
Although Flag Day, as an institu-
tion, is but five years old. II has taken
firm hold in Washington and throughout
the entire country. II was esta ablished
in great part through a committee of
the District OF Columbia Society. Sons
OF the American Revolution. who made
great efforts TO have the first Flag
Day celebrated by the whole nation
June II. 1901 Their success was pro-
nOunced aid their campaign for the day
resulted in an outburst OF song and
notable oratory. That day everywhere
old Glory" waved In the city of
Washington, at the Pan-American Ex-
position, in Hawaii. the Philippines, IN
every State and In every Territory
Flag Day was celebrated. Since
then II has grown 10 be a regular in
stitutiOn-Iike the Fourth OF July
Consequently. today the children Of
the Capital Of the Nation wore the flag
huffy dresses. and sang 10 IL and praised
IL II was, as day, noble inspiration
10 greater strength OF that emotion in
every American child's heart-iove for
the country and its defenders.
J. II. Bradford, commander @. a r.
appointed the speakers at the various
District Of Columbia schools today.
First Flag in Alaska.
Flag Day brings to mind 10 Joseph
I. Keefer the planting Of the American
flag on Alaskan soil Mr. Keefer ac-
companied the Seward State Department
expedition to Alaska IN 1861, as aide-de-
camp TO Capt T. +. Ketchum. The
flag that was unfurlea as Alaska was
officially taken possession Of was the
first ever planted in Russian America.
Supposing this BIT OF historical bunt-
ing 10 have been lost sight Of during the
intervening years Mr.. Keefer who is
the last survivor OF the expedition, insti-
tuted a search last week TO ascertain
It's fate. II possible Greatly TO his sat
isfaction. the flag was found in a box
behind the original Declaration Of Inde-
pendvnce. IN the State Department build
ing. The flag is not on exhibition. which
probably accounts for the fact that II
has passed out OF the memory OF all
bat the man who was on the spot when
its unfolding colOrs proclaimed the pres
ence and domination OF Uncle Sam in
that faraWav region