It's Memorial Day – the day we honor the memory of those who gave their lives fighting for our country.
Originally conceived as Decoration Day to honor Civil War dead, the holiday's scope was expanded over the years with the United States' involvement with each additional war.
This front page of the Lorain Times-Herald from May 31, 1901 (below) reflects that fact with the most recent war included. "With sincere devotion to a noble and patriotic purpose and honest respect for the memory of the dead heroes of the civil and Spanish-American wars was Decoration Day observed in Lorain yesterday," the article notes. "Never before in the history of the city were the exercises of the entire day carried out with so appropriate regard for the sentiment of loyalty and devotion to the memory of those who offered their lives for the preservation of the Union. Business and labor of all kinds were almost entirely suspended. Nearly every residence and business place showed the National colors in some form, and the people entered into the spirit of the day in its best sense. In every way the day was a credit to the community. By all means let us have more of the same kind. They are worth more than they cost."
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| Courtesy The Graphics Fairy |
Anyway, here's hoping you have a great and meaningful Memorial Day.
5 comments:
Dad always called it "Decoration Day."
Errol: You can see a picture of him in front of his WW 1 flyer, here:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archivo:Errol_Henry_Zistel_(1895-1968)_in_1918.jpg
I can still hear the rifle shots from the 6am salute at Victory Park .Our open bedroom windows were couple hundred yards away.
Your Lady Liberty is actually the allegorical representation of the US named Columbia or America. She appeared shortly after the Revolution. In her earliest versions she was sometimes depicted wearing a Native American headdress with feathers. The cap you see is a Phrygian cap, symbolizing freemen in Ancient Greece. Its Roman counterpart was a pileus, given to emancipated slaves. Thomas Crawfords Statue of Freedom which stands atop the Capital dome in Washington DC wears an eagle shaped helmet instead of the Phrygian cap. Future president of the CSA Jefferson Davis, senator and slave owner objected to the caps symbolism. The statue of freedom was erected in 1856, the Statue of Liberty 1886.
Hi Randall! Thanks for checking in and explaining the symbolism behind the illustration. And your comment gives me a good excuse to mention that I bought a Chronicle-Telegram on impulse over the weekend and there you were!
https://chroniclet.com/news/353468/stamps-intricate-revenue-stamp-designs-highlight-lorain-natives-emerging-business/
I knew you had a successful graphic design business but had no idea you were also into the revenue and 'private die' stamps. It makes sense, though, that as a graphic designer you would find them of interest. For those that want to know what this is all about, here is the link to Randall's website, which, of course, is nicely designed:
https://www.matchandmedicine.com
Happy to contribute Dan! Keep up the good work and thanks for the shout out.
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