At first the Pilgrims suffered many hardships. But they worked hard to build houses and to plant crops. When autumn came they gathered their first harvest. There was plenty of food for the coming winter. Then the Pilgrims were thankful and happy. They set aside a day of thanksgiving to God for all His goodness to them. They made ready a great feast. They invited the Indians. Together they celebrated the first Thanksgiving. Now the American people celebrate Thanksgiving Day each year. The President sets the day. It usually comes on the last Thursday in November. Labor Day The American people honor all honest and useful labor. Honest labor is the best friend of mankind. Honest labor makes everyone true to himself and true to others. Honest labor helps all people to live together in freedom and happiness. For these reasons America sets aside the first Monday in September as a day of honor and respect to all who help with the world's work. Decoration Day Many men have fought and died to make the United States free. The American people are very grateful to these brave and true soldiers. We do not wish to forget them. Each year on May thirtieth we pay honor to those who helped to save our land of freedom. We deck to-day each soldier's grave, We cannot pay the debt we owe; They gave their lives that we might live ; Our warmest words fall far below The worship that we fain would give. Used by permission of Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc. Flag Day Flag Day comes once a year on June 14. No Slave Beneath That Starry Flag No slave beneath that starry flag, The emblem of the free! No fettered hand shall wield the brand That smites for liberty! No slave beneath that grand old flag! With lightning rolled in every fold, And flashing victory! God's blessing breathe around it! And, when all strife is done, May freedom's light, that knows no night, Make every star a sun! GEORGE LANSING TAYLOR. Used by permission of Hinds, Hayden & Eldredge, Inc. LESSON 6 THE MEANING OF THE FLAG Look for a moment upon the beautiful American flag. See the stripes of red and white and the stars in the field of blue. They have a long story to tell. It is a story of a freedom-loving people. It is the story of the nation. The thirteen stripes stand for the thirteen original states of the Union. There are never more nor less. The stars stand for the number of states in the nation to-day. Do you know how many states there are now? As you look upon the flag you will think of the story of the nation, of the Constitution, and of the government of the United States. But surely the flag has a much deeper meaning than this. The flag above all stands for the very people who made the nation. It stands for the people who faithfully go about their daily work. It stands for the people who always try to be honest. It stands for the people who try to serve those whom they love. It stands for the people who always try to be worthy citizens. Thus the flag truly stands for what the people of the nation are and for what they want to be. For these reasons every American loves the flag and would give his life for it. |