Until further notice, we will no longer update this 'Star-Spangled Inspiration' content. We are preparing for an upcoming version 2.0 software release of the PlaceApp. For that software launch, we are focusing our efforts on improving the capabilities and content for our Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag service. So, please, go review Today's BoH Flag Ceremony page.
Star-Spangled Inspiration
... a daily selection of inspiring Americana from
for Saturday, July 15, 2017
On this date in 1806, US Army Lieutenant Zebulon Pike leaves Missouri to explore the west. His adventures earn him the honor of having one of American's most famous peaks named after him - Pikes Peak, standing more than 14,000 feet, overlooking Colorado Springs, Colorado.
[image credit: Hogs555 on Wikipedia]
for Friday, July 14, 2017
<American smarts and ingenuity>
On this date in 1943, George Washington Carver, a world recognized agricultural scientist, educator, and humanitarian, is honored with the first National Monument dedicated to an African-American
for Thursday, July 13, 2017
<American's are "Born to be Wild!">
for Wednesday, July 12, 2017
On July 11, 1977, President Jimmy Carter awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to Martin Luther King Jr.. nine years after he was assassinated. MLK Jr's wife, Coretta Scott King, and father, M.L. King, Sr., accepted the awarded on MLK Jr's behalf.
for Tuesday, July 11, 2017
< American marketing ;) >
It's "7-11 Day", so be a kid again and go get yourself a free Slurpee at your local 7-11. You deserve it America ;)
for Monday, July 10, 2017
<American women rule ... the soccer field>
Newsweek cover pic {educational use}
for Sunday, July 9, 2017
<..."Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness"...>
George Washington ordered his troops to meet and listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776.
He probably didn't read it himself, but this is a motivating video.
for Saturday, July 8, 2017
<American capitalism and philanthropy>
for Friday, July 7, 2017
<American goodwill>
On this date in 1983, Samantha Smith, shows her acceptance of the Soviet Union leader's invitation, by flying to visit as a Cold War peacemaker.
According to Samantha, Yuri Andropov stated, "He said that if we were going to have a war, they would never be the first ones to start it."
for Thursday, July 6, 2017
<America's pastime>
On this date in 1933, was the first Major League Baseball All-Star game, which featured Babe Ruth
for Wednesday, July 5, 2017
<... all men are created equal ...>
On this date in 1975, Arthur Ashe becomes the first black man to win the Wimbledon tennis singles title
Words to live by... Arthur Ashe: From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life. [Team USA public domain image]
for Tuesday, July 4, 2017
<American humility at its best>
NY Yankee hero, Lou Gehrig, bids farewell to baseball during a ceremony to honor him on July 4, 1939
for Monday, July 3, 2017
<American statehood>
On this date in 1890, ______, the 'Potato State', becomes our 43rd state
USGS public domain image
for Sunday, July 2, 2017
<American motivational music>
Rocky's 'Gonna Fly Now' theme becomes the #1 selling song on July 2, 1977
for Saturday, July 1, 2017
<American import ;)>
This isn't truly a piece of Americana since it was made in Japan. But,... it definitely had an impact on American society in the 80s and has carried on through to today's portable music devices (and movie scenes - like when 'Star Lord' of Guardians of the Galaxy plays his old Walkman ;)
Image by Esa Sorjonen on Wikipedia
for Friday, June 30, 2017
<American icon>
Superman first appeared in DC Comics' Action Comics Series issue #1 on June 30, 1938
1933 concept comic [public domain image from DC Comics]
for Thursday, June 29, 2017
<American international leadership>
On this date in 1995, Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir for the first time.
for Wednesday, June 28, 2017
<Woman to Honor Wednesday>
Molly Pitcher was a Revolutionary War heroine who fought at the Battle of Monmouth on this date, June 28, in 1778
for Tuesday, June 27, 2017
<The fighting continues even after the battles are over>
Today is PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) Day, so pray for and care for those suffering from this disease
for Monday, June 26, 2017
<American aggression>
During World War I, the Germans, gave the U.S. Marines the nickname "Teufel Hunden", meaning "Hound from Hell" or "Devil Dog", because of the ferocity by which they fought and won their battles - especially the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918.
for Sunday, June 25, 2017
<Gone Fishin'>
On this National Catfish Day, go out and spend some time with your family fishing for some good fightin', tasty catfish ;)
for Saturday, June 24, 2017
<American Determination>
Jack Dempsey rose up from a poor farming family to become boxing's World Heavyweight Champ (1919-1926) and later served as a naval officer during WWII
for Friday, June 23, 2017
<American Entertainment>
On this date, June 23, 1989, Batman was released in movie theaters
for June 22, 2017
<American Will to Win>
Battle of Okinawa ends (June 22, 1945)
Marine reinforcements landing on Okinawa on April 1, 1945 [public domain image]
for June 21, 2017
<American Music>
On this day in 1965, the Byrds’ debut album, Mr. Tambourine Man, started the 1960's folk-rock revolution, which combined rock guitars with thought-provoking folk lyrics.
Yes, kids, folk-rock really was a 'thing' back then ;)
for June 20, 2017
<American Movie Thriller>
"Jaws", the movie that catapulted 27-year old Steven Spielberg's career as a director, began playing in movie theaters on this date in 1975.
for June 19, 2017
(image credit: public domain)
for June 18, 2017
(image credit: public domain)
for June 17, 2017
for June 16, 2017
for June 15, 2017
for June 14, 2017
Remembering the Fallen:
Sgt. Bays, Sgt. Houck, and Cpl. Baldridge were KIA in Afghanistan on Saturday, June 10, 2017
for April 14, 2017
Our educating pioneer, Noah Webster
Some call him, "Father of American Scholarship and Education"
for April 13, 2017
Happy Birthday, Founding Father - Thomas Jefferson
for April 12, 2017
... Never Forget that Freedom isn't Free ...
US Army Green Beret Staff Sergeant Mark De Alencar - KIA on April 8th while fighting ISIS in Afghanistan. [See how he's honored at 'Today's BoH Flag Ceremony' link.]
for April 11, 2017
On this date in 1970, the Apollo 13 mission to the moon launched. Apollo 13 was well-known for its
"Houston, we've had a problem here." (the real quote)
... and the amazing ingenuity and faith to get through it all successfully ...
for April 10, 2017
... America's will to win ...
for April 9, 2017
for April 8, 2017
...celebrating the Opening Week of MLB...
for April 7, 2017
for April 6, 2017
for April 5, 2017
for April 4, 2017
for April 3, 2017
"... one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
for April 2, 2017
Creative, Americana Entertainment
Celebrating Anniversary of WrestleMania I (3/31/1985)
for April 1, 2017
for March 31, 2017
Innovative, Motivating National Anthem at 2015 Final Four
for March 29 & 30, 2017
First-ever, outdoor Beacon of Honor - Awakens Our Flag Ceremony
at Heritage Elementary to honor alumnus and now U.S. Marine PFC Jason Dempster