history
Massachusetts – The Bay State
While Plymouth, founded in 1620, wasn’t the first attempt at colonization in North America, not the first site settled by the British, Plymouth was the first European settlement in New England as the first settlement, Jamestown, was located farther south in what is today Virginia. However, Plymouth has an outsize importance in the real and mythical tales of the formation of what would become the United States for this was the site where the famous Pilgrims landed with their equally famous ship the Mayflower. Therefore it seems fitting that through an accident of timing this post will appear on the 4th of July Independence holiday.
Connecticut – The Constitution State
Introduction: Connecticut is the fifth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States and therefore the fifth state to …
Georgia – The Peach State
Gold was discovered in the mountains of northern Georgia in 1829. Predictably this led to the Georgia Gold Rush culminating in the establishment of a federal mint in the mountain town of Dahlonega. This mint continued to operate until 1861 at the outbreak of the Civil War. The Georgia Gold Rush brought an influx of white settlers into territory that was previously almost exclusively Cherokee. The white settlers put pressure on the government to take Cherokee lands, by force if necessary. In response to this pressure, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law in 1830. This resulted in the forced movement of many eastern Native Americans to reservations in present day Oklahoma, a territory and climate very different from the one left behind. Even though the Supreme Court ruled in 1832 that states we not permitted to redraw Indian territorial boundaries, President Jackson and the state of Georgia ignored the ruling and persisted in the relocation effort. President Jackson’s successor, Martin Van Buren, went further and ordered federal troops to gather the remaining Cherokee peoples and forcibly deport them west of the Mississippi River. This forced displacement, which resulted in the death of over 4,000 Cherokee people is today known as the Trail of Tears.
New Jersey – The Garden State
During the English Civil War, the Channel Island of Jersey remained loyal to the British Crown and gave sanctuary to the King. In recognition of this loyalty and assistance, when Charles II was crowned King of England following the end of the Cromwellian regime, he awarded the area now known as New Jersey to Vice Admiral Sir George Carteret, bailiff and governor of the island of Jersey. Admiral Cateret, who had visited Newfoundland and therefore had some familiarity with the New World, promptly named his new lands after his home island, and thus the name New Jersey. The initial settlers under the British came primarily from New York and New England, staying near the Hackensack River and Arthur Kill.
The Keystone State – Pennsylvania
Introduction: At first, I titled this post as “The Second State – Pennsylvania” but I could imagine Pennsylvanians, the one …
Grrrr – The Bear Flag
Yes, I know, I said in the last post that we were working on all of the state flags of …
The First State – Delaware
With Delaware we begin our journey through the states and territories of the United States. I briefly considered taking this …
Japan
Public perception of the national flag varies. Historically, both Western and Japanese sources claimed the flag was a powerful and enduring symbol to the Japanese. Since the end of World War II, the use of the flag and the national anthem has been a contentious issue for Japan’s public schools. Disputes about their use have led to protests and lawsuits. The flag is not frequently displayed in Japan due to its association with ultra-nationalism. For some nations that have been occupied by Japan, the flag is a symbol of aggression and imperialism.
Wallis and Futuna Islands – Where in the World Are They?
Communication costs are high, costing up to ten times as much as in western countries. The island of Wallis has about 62 mi of roadways, of which 16 are paved, while the island of Futuna has only 12 mi and none are paved. The territory has two main ports and harbours, Mata-Utu and Leava (on the island of Futuna), that support its merchant marine fleet consisting of three ships (two passenger ships and a petroleum tanker).
There are two airports, Hihifo Airport on Wallis and Pointe Vele Airport on Futuna. New Caledonia-based Aircalin operates the only commercial flights that go to Wallis, where it has an office in Mata-Utu. From Wallis it is possible to fly on, or back as the actual case happens to be, to Futuna.