| Paul Revere Born: December 1734, Boston Died: May 10, 1818 Profession: Silversmith Famous for: His midnight ride...see poem by Wadsworth below� Paul Revere's Ride Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Listen my children and you shall hear Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere, On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five; Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year. He said to his friend, "If the British march By land or sea from the town to-night, Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-- One if by land, and two if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready to ride and spread the alarm Through every Middlesex village and farm, For the country folk to be up and to arm." So through the night rode Paul Revere; And so through the night went his cry of alarm To every Middlesex village and farm,--- A cry of defiance, and not of fear, A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door, And a word that shall echo for evermore! For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere. In 1912, the United States had 48 states. A Presidential order was issued fixing the position of the stars for this flag. Presidential orders followed the adoption of the flags of 1959 and 1960, as well. This flag was used starting on July 4, 1959, after the admission of Alaska to the Union on Jan. 3, 1959. The United States flag today. The 50th star was added on July 4, 1960 for Hawaii, which entered the Union on August 21, 1959. Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze, American, 1816-1868 George Washington Crossing the Delaware, 1851 Oil on Canvas; 12 2/5 x 21 1/4 in. (378.5 x 647.7 cm) Gift of John S. Kennedy, 1897 (97.34) Signing the Declaration of Independence, 1776 Copy of painting by John Trumbull, 1817-18 George Washington Famous for: 1st President of the United States (April 30, 1789 to March 3, 1797) Nickname: "Father of His Country" Born: February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia Died: December 14, 1799, at Mount Vernon , Virginia Occupation: Planter, Soldier Presidential Salary: $25,000/year (refused by Washington) Points of Interest: Believing that shaking hands was beneath a president, Washington bowed to his White House visitors. Washington has the distinction of being the only president to be elected unanimously by the electoral college. Washington had one remaining tooth at the time of his inauguration. During his lifetime he wore dentures made of human (some his own), cow, or hippopotamus teeth, ivory, or lead, but he never wore wooden teeth. Many places are named after Washington including the nation's capital, the state, 31 counties and 17 communities. The six white horses in Washington's stables had their teeth brushed every morning on Washington's orders. The nation's capital was located in Philadelphia during Washington's administration making him the only president who didn't live in Washington, D.C. during his presidency. Patrick Henry: Born: May 29, 1736 in Virginia Died: June 6, 1799, also in Virginia Famous for: he was instrumental in the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Famous for: His speech which ended with: �I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!� Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775. Betsy Ross: Born: Elizabeth Griscom -- also called Betsy, was born on January 1, 1752. Died: Betsy died on January 30, 1836, at the age of 84. Famous for: Designing and sewing our country�s first flag. George Washington asked her to do this. He showed her the rough design. She finished the flag either in late May or early June 1776. Profession: upholstery |