Featuring our Flag

Since today, Flag Day, is dedicated to our grand old flag, it seems a perfect time to share eye-catching images from our collections that feature the nation’s Old Glory. You might not always see the colors red, white, and blue, but you’ll undoubtedly recognize the stars and stripes!

I was surprised to come across many daguerreotypes from the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs that have an American flag in the frame; and many of those are hand-colored to make the red and blue really pop! Below, a little girl holds a small flag in hand, and a soldier poses with the flag behind him.

This image below really struck me, with the depth of field and clarity of the flags in celebration in New York City after Germany surrendered in the First World War. The streamers and confetti create a majestic feel as the large flags protrude into the streets from Wall Street’s skyscrapers.

Learn More:

• View a quick history of Flag Day in America’s Story by America’s Library.
• Interested in even more history about the holiday? Take a look at the Library’s “Today in History” post about Flag Day.
• Check out all 49 items with the flag in the frame from the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs.
• Take a look at selections from our collections featuring Flag Day festivities.