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Most Americans recognize that their flag has changed over time, but few know anything more than the fact that first recognized American flag was created by Betsy Ross with a circle of thirteen stars on a bed of thirteen red and white stripes. The actual history is a bit more interesting.

1775 marks the first recognized use of revolutionary flags to mark disconnect with British Rule. From the “Liberty Tree” flag of New England to the Continental Navy’s “Don’t Tread on Me” Americans were beginning to unite behind symbols that separated them from their British government. In 1776 the Grand Union Flag became popular. It had the thirteen white and red stripes of the colonies, but placed the Union Jack in the upper left corner. It was later in that year that legend has Betsy Ross turning the Union Jack into a circle of stars. Historians now dispute this story, but it has a strong place in the public mind as is likely to remain there. Whatever its actual origins, this is the flag that is officially adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1776.

This decision did not end the battle of the American flags . Throughout the revolutionary war competing flags were used by different military groups and ships. They all used the red, white, and blue color scheme, but had different designs and stars as the colonies slowly became states and communications between entities were sometimes delayed for weeks or months.

Starting in 1795 the flag was changed to reflect the addition of new states into the Union and changed the circle of stars into five staggered rows.. Over time, the number of stars would require changing the number of stars in each row to reflect all the states, but the stripes continue to number thirteen in honor of the thirteen original colonies.

The need for fast cash is not a new development in the world. There is certainly an increase in activity, and a rise in new pawn shops, during economic downturns, and it’s difficult to avoid looking at the Great Depression as one of the big blossoming moments for pawn shops in this country. As people were losing their liquid assets quickly, they needed to start figuring out how to sell their valuable objects in order to make ends meet. But the idea of a pawn shop isn’t necessarily based on fast cash, it’s rather based on the idea that things will get better soon, and the items can be bought back.

In today’s economy, it’s more likely that people are looking to sell their unwanted jewelry, or to Sell Gold , in order to meet goals, and buy the things that they really want and need. It’s a new way of looking at a very old custom. The first pawn shops can be fairly reasonably dated back 3,000 years, to China , when brokers were willing to offer loans in exchange for goods that would be held for a certain period of time. It extended into the Greek and Roman cultures, and the success of the industry, as well as the benefits for the customers, has helped it to endure over time.

Willimsburg, VA is a very exciting place to visit from a historical perspective. Deeply steeped in American pre-colonial, colonial, revolutionary and post revolutionary history. Colonial Williamsburg is a great place to take the kids for a lesson in American history. Originally established as Middle Plantation in 1632 the settlement was located on the high ground of the Virginia Peninsula between the James River and the York River. This was the first major settlement in the region and the first settlement for the colony of Virginia. Today this region of Virginia is known as Hampton Road and is a very popular place to visit with tons of things to do from exploring museum villages to fishing and swimming in the Chesapeake Bay.

Today Williamsburg is known for the restored historic area of the city that is adjacent to the second oldest college in the United States, William and Mary U. Williamsburg is part of the historic triangle of Virginia which include Jamestown and Yorktown. Today this is one of the most heavily visited tourist destinations in the world. The towns of the triangle are linked by the National Scenic Byway, a carefully constructed road way that shields one from viewing anything that is not from the colonial era.

Last summer we went down to Williamburg for vacation. Taking the kids to see some of Americas history. Knowing that they we will getting into studding American history in school this year we thought it would be a great way to introduce them to the history in a fun and interactive way. We stayed in hotels Williamsburg for three nights, spending each day engaging in various activities in the colonial villages. The vacation seemed to work beautifully. Even before school began the kids began to devour as much information on early and colonial American history as they could. Happily they collected up some books and materials while we were there that they will be able to use in school projects this year.