Happy "official-first-day-of-summer"

Yesterday was the official first full day of summer soltice-the longest day of the year-15 hours and 18 minutes to be exact. That's the good news. The bad news is that today it is 1 minute shorter and by the end of this month daylight time will be down to 15 hours and 14 minutes.

It doesn't sound like a lot until you look at the length of day tables in an almanac and realize the inevitable.

However, we all know it's part of that never ending seasonal cycle and to me it's part of what keeps life interesting.   I wouldn't want to live somewhere where there were no seasons like the equatorial belt where there are only two.

Many children and, I suspect,  adults don't fully understand why our climate is seasonal.  Back in my teaching days I would explain by showing them a model of the earth, sun and moon.  The tilt of the earth on its axis is of course the cause so showing a model of how it actually happens is very helpful.

Anyway, happy summer.  To learn more about the summer season, click here georgeswebpage.com/almanac

Happy Last Day of School, Newtown.

Today is the last day of school for Newtown Public School students. It's also the end of the first year in the new Sandy Hook School.

The move into the new school this year was difficult for many of the staff and faculty because of the circumstances that necessitated a new school but everyone made it through with flying colors.

Have a well deserved, restful summer. I hope to be back in classrooms again this fall as a volunteer.

Three cheers for the red, white and blue. Happy Flag Day

Here's everything you've ever (or never) wanted to know about our flag.

Thirteen Star U.S. Flag, 1777 ~ 1795 The First Official United States Flag: This 13 star Flag became the Official United States Flag on June 14th, 1777 and is the result of Congressional action that took place on that date. Much evidence exists pointing to Congressman Francis Hopkinson as the person responsible for its design.The only President to serve under this flag was George Washington (1789-1797). This Flag was to last for a period of 18 years, until April 30th, 1795. Each star and stripe represented a Colony of which there were thirteen, united nearly one year earlier by the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen Colonies are listed below with the date that each ratified the Constitution and became a State. (1st) Delaware, December 7th, 1787. (2nd) Pennsylvania, December 12th,1787. (3rd) New Jersey, December 18th, 1787. (4th) Georgia, January 2nd, 1788. (5th) Connecticut, January 9th, 1788. (6th) Massachusetts, February 6th, 1788. (7th) Maryland, April 28th, 1788. (8th) South Carolina, May 23rd, 1788. (9th) New Hampshire, June 21st, 1788. (10th) Virginia, June 25th, 1788. (11th) New York, July 25th, 1788. (12th) North Carolina, November 21st, 1789. (13th) Rhode Island, May 29th, 1790. Top of Form Bottom of Form

Fifteen Star U.S. Flag, 1795 ~ 1818 This 15 star, 15 stripe Flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, and became the Official United States Flag on May 1st, 1795. Two stripes and two Stars were added for the admission of Vermont (the 14th State on March 4th, 1791) and Kentucky (the 15th State on June 1st, 1792) and was to last for 23 years, until April 12th, 1818. This flag is the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes. During the bombardment of Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired by the sight of this Flag flying over the Fort to write the song which became known as "The Star Spangled Banner", now our national anthem. The 15 Star Flag is, itself, affectionately known by the same name. The five Presidents who served under this flag were; George Washington (1789-1797), John Adams (1797-1801), Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Star U.S. Flag, 1818 ~ 1819 The 1818 Flag of 20 Stars: Realizing that the addition of a new star and new stripe for each new State was impractical, Congress passed the Flag Act of 1818 which returned the Flag design to 13 stripes and specified 20 stars for the 20 states. This Flag became the Official United States Flag on April 13th, 1818. Five stars were added for the admssion of Tennessee (the 16th State on June 1st, 1796), Ohio (the 17th State on March 1st, 1803), Louisiana (the 18th State on April 30th, 1812), Indiana (the 19th State on December 11th, 1816), and Mississippi (the 20th State on December 10, 1817), and was to last for just one year until July 4th,1819. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825). Top of Form

Twenty One Star U.S. Flag, 1819 ~ 1820 The 21 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th,1819. A star was added for the admission of Illinois (December 3rd, 1818) and was to last for just one year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1820 ~ 1822 The 23 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1820. Two stars were added for the admission of Alabama (the 22nd state on December 14th, 1819) and Maine (the 23rd state on March 15, 1820) and was to last for 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was James Monroe (1817-1825). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1822 ~ 1836 The 24 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th,1822. A star was added for the admission of Missouri (August 10th, 1821) and was to last for fourteen years. The Presidents who served under this flag included James Monroe (1817-1825), John Quincy Adams (1825-1829), and Andrew Jackson (1829-1837). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1836 ~ 1837 The 25 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1836. A star was added for the admission of Arkansas (June 15th, 1836) and was to last for just one year. The two Presidents to serve under this flag were Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and Martin Van Buren (1837-1841). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1837 ~ 1845 The 26 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1837. A star was added for the admission of Michigan (January 26th,1837) and was to last for 8 years. The four Presidents to serve under this flag were; Martin Van Buren (1837-1841), William Henry Harrison (1841), John Tyler (1841-1845), and James Polk (1845-1849). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Seven Star U.S. Flag, 1845 ~ 1846 The 27 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1845. A star was added for the admission of Florida and was to last for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1846 ~ 1847 The 28 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1846. A star was added for the admission of Texas (December 29th, 1845) and was to last for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Twenty Nine Star U.S. Flag, 1847 ~ 1848 The 29 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1847. A star was added for the admission of Iowa (December 28th, 1846) and was to last for only 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Polk (1845-1849). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Thirty Star U.S. Flag, 1848 ~ 1851 The 30 star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1848. A star was added for the admission of Wisconsin (May 29th, 1848) and was to last for 3 years. The three Presidents to serve under this flag were; James Polk (1845-1849), Zachary Taylor (1849-1850),and Millard Fillmore (1850-1853). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Thirty One Star U.S. Flag, 1851 ~ 1858 The 31 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1851. A star was added for the admission of California (September 9th, 1850) and was to last for seven years. The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Millard Fillmore (1850-1853), Franklin Pierce (1853-1857), and James Buchanan (1857-1861). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Thirty Two Star U.S. Flag, 1858 ~ 1859 The 32 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1858. A star was added for the admission of Minnesota (May 11, 1858) and was to last for just one year. The only President to serve under this flag was James Buchanan (1857-1861). Top of Form Bottom of Form

Thirty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1859 ~ 1861 The 33 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1859. A star was added for the admission of Oregon (February 14, 1859) and was to last for 2 years. The two Presidents to serve under this flag were James Buchanan (1857-1861) and Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865). Top of Form Select your 33 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Thirty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1861 ~ 1863 The 34 Star FlagThis Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1861. A star was added for the admission of Kansas (January 29th, 1861) and was to last for 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865). Top of Form Select your 34 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Thirty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1863 ~ 1865 The 35 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1863. A star was added for the admission of West Virginia (June 20th, 1863) and was to last for 2 years. The two Presidents to serve under this flag were Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) and Andrew Johnson (1865-1869). Top of Form Select your 35 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Thirty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1865 ~ 1867 The 36 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1865. A star was added for the admission of Nevada (October 31st, 1864) and was to last for 2 years. The only President to serve under this flag was Andrew Johnson (1865-1869). Top of Form Select your 36 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Thirty Seven Star U.S. Flag, 1867 ~ 1877 The 37 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th 1867. A star was added for the admission of Nebraska (March 1st,1867) and was to last for ten years. The three Presidents who served under this flag were; Andrew Johnson (1865-1869), Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877), and Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881). Top of Form Select your 37 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Thirty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1877 ~ 1890 The 38 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1877. A star was added for the admission of Colorado (August 1st 1876) and was to last for 13 years. The five Presidents to serve under this flag were; Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881), James A. Garfield (1881), Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885), Grover Cleveland (1885-1889), and Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893). Top of Form Select your 38 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Three Star U.S. Flag, 1890 ~ 1891 The 43 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1890. Five stars were added for the admission of North Dakota (the 39th State on November 2nd,1889), South Dakota (the 40th State on November 2nd,1889), Montana (the 41st State on November 8th,1889), Washington (the 42nd State on November 11th,1889), and Idaho (the 43rd State on July 3rd, 1890) and was to last for just 1 year. The only President to serve under this flag was Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893). Top of Form Select your 43 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Four Star U.S. Flag, 1891 ~ 1896 The 44 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1891. A star was added for the admission of Wyoming (July 10, 1890) and was to last for 5 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) and Grover Cleveland (1893-1897). Top of Form Select your 44 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Five Star U.S. Flag, 1896 ~ 1908 The 45 Star Flag: This Flag became the Official United States Flag on July 4th, 1896. A star was added for the admission of Utah on January 4th, 1896, and was to last for 12 years. The Presidents to serve under this flag were Grover Cleveland (1893-1897), William McKinley (1897-1901),and Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909). Top of Form Select your 45 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Six Star U.S. Flag, 1908 ~ 1912 The 46 Star Flag: On July 4,1908, the U.S. flag grew to 46 stars with the addition to the Union of Oklahoma (November 16, 1907). This was the official flag for 4 years. Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) and William H. Taft (1909-1913) served as President under the 46 star flag. Top of Form Select your 46 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Eight Star U.S. Flag, 1912 ~ 1959 The 48 Star Flag: On July 4,1912, the U.S. flag grew to 48 stars with the addition of New Mexico (January 6th, 1912) and Arizona (February 14, 1912). This flag was official for 47 years, longer than any other flag before it, through two World Wars and the emergence of the United States of America as the leading nation of the world. Eight Presidents served under this flag; William H. Taft (1909-1913), Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921), Warren Harding (1921-1923), Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929), Herbert Hoover (1929-1933), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945), Harry S.Truman (1945-1953), Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) Top of Form Select your 48 Star Flag size here. Bottom of Form

Forty Nine Star U.S. Flag, 1959 ~ 1960 The 49 Star Flag: On January 3rd,1959, Alaska was formally granted statehood placing the 49th star on our Flag. The 49-Star flag was official for only one year, from July 4th, 1959, until July 4th, 1960. On July 4th, 1960, our current 50-Star Flag was born, after Hawaii achieved its Statehood on January 3rd, 1959. President Eisenhower was the only President to serve under this flag.