Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Biographical Sketch of Jacob Christensen (excerpts) FROM OUR ARCHIVES




Biographical Sketch of Jacob Christensen (excerpts)





Jacob Christensen, son of Christen Petersen and Maren Thompsen, eldest of ten children, was born in Vennsyssel, Hjoring, Denmark, September 21, 1827. His father was the son of Peter Peterson and Mette Christensen. His father, Christen Peterson was born in Lendum, Jutland, Denmark and his mother Maren Thomsen was born in Napstyert, Jutland Denmark.



His boyhood days were typical of the times in which he lived. His parents earned their scanty living by fishing. When a young man he spent two years in the service of his king, as was customary. He served as a sailor.



Jacob joined the L.D.S. church in his native land on February 20, 1853 and was a traveling elder for the following two years. He married Inger Kristine Thomsen January 19, 1855. She became the mother of nine children, the eldest being born in Denmark before immigration.



In 1857 they immigrated to the United States. a perpetual emigration fund came into being through the desires of the church leaders to bring to this land those too poor to provide themselves with the transportation money which was needed.



Jacob's mother accompanied them to Omaha, Nebraska, where she died a short time later. They were compelled to stay here for two years, because of lack of funds to go further. Here, although he took whatever employment he could get at sawmills and adobe yards, they lived under the most trying circumstances. One time he was obliged to trade one shirt, of his meager supply of two, for a bushel of frozen turnips, which they boiled and then warmed up in tallow. While crossing the plains Jacob and his good wife encountered a great misfortune. Their only child died.



They located in Mt. Pleasant, among the first settlers in the fall of 1859, living in a dugout until the fort was built. Jacob helped to build the south wall of the fort, furnishing team, wagon and his own work. Homes were built against the inside walls of the fort where the settlers lived. By the fall of 1859 Mt. Pleasant had a population of 800 people.



Jacob Christensen Grave Marker

The First Ward was organized at Mt. Pleasant, July 9, 1859, by Elders George A. Smith and Amasa M. Lyman. William S. Seely was ordained bishop. Jacob Christensen became his first counselor. The Bishop and his counselors were looked upon as the leaders of the group. They were the superintendents, planners, confidant tribunal, directors, ecclesiastical tribunal, the leaders of the group, in fact the responsibility of the settlement rested upon their shoulders.


They were all busy people those days, building homes, a fort, clearing and plowing land, planting crops, building fences, canals, fighting and guarding against Indians, harvesting crops and a score of other jobs.


Thereafter, Jacob devoted much of his time to building up of this community. He was a shareholder in Mt. Pleasant's first cooperative institution and organizer of the United Order here. He served as Counselor to Bishop William S. Seely for seven years and as president of the High Priest's quorum for twenty five years.



January 14, 1865, he married Ingeborg Anderson, daughter of Christian and Karen Anderson. Ingeborg was the only daughter and the youngest of a family of four, born in Seiland, Denmark, April 28, 1846. Her father was a tailor, and Ingeborg had a comfortable childhood attending the schools of the town until her parents accepted the Latter-day Saint Church and decided to leave their homeland for Utah, where her three brothers had already settled. This was in 1862.


Plurality of wives was in flower at that time. Those who could afford two families and were worthy could get permission of the Church authorities to marry a second wife. Jacob asked Ingeborg to marry him, and after due consideration she accepted his offer of marriage. The were married, January 1865. She was 19 years of age and he was double her age, but it seems at that time, this was often the case. Ingeborg became the mother of seven children, two dying in infancy.



About this time Jacob took a very active part in the Black Hawk War, being captain of Company A, Mt. Pleasant Militia and was in several engagements with the Indians. He was also a Councilman in Mt. Pleasant's first city council.


On March 15, 1869, he married his third wife, Anna Christena Marberg, daughter of Johannes and Christine Peterson Marberg, who was born March 2, 1850 at Leitse, Gutland, Sweden. She was the second child in a family of four daughters.




They were married in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. Their first home was the Haage home about 411 South State Street, Mt. Pleasant (now vacant). This house, built by Jacob Christensen was considered one of the finest residences of the early days.


Anna became the mother of ten children, three dying in infancy, one in youth and two in middle life.


Jacob died March 9, 1915, having been an invalid for eleven years.















Monday, April 27, 2020

F.C. Jensen Heritage Lives On At Wasatch






Frederick C. Jensen
Jensen was a staunch Presbyterian, although his parents were Mormon converts from Denmark, where he was born. Apparently the family was affluent; Frederick’s mother paid for the Atlantic crossings of many poor Danish converts as well their own emigration to Utah in 1862 after the death of Frederick’s father. Jensen was a cabinetmaker par excellence who met the furniture needs of wealthy local sheep owners. His furniture store was considered the finest in the region. He helped organize the Mt. Pleasant Bank and was a sheep owner and wool marketer with a flock of some 5,000 animals. He was active in politics, served on the town council and purchased the town’s first Cadillac in 1909. He gifted his home to Wasatch Academy before his death in 1925.






found in History of Sanpete and Emery Counties p. 246; published in 1898


The Mt. Pleasant Commercial & Savings Bank was incorpo­rated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, with N. S. Nielsen as President; F. C. Jensen, Vice President; Soren Nielsen acted as Cashier . History of Mt. Pleasant, Longsdorf p 171

There were fully 500,000 head of sheep owned in the county, and with Mt. Pleasant, the Queen City of Sanpete, fast becoming the commercial center, two prominent wool companies were formed. In 1893 the Mt. Pleasant Wool & Live Stock Company was organized by N. S. Nielsen, J. H. Seely, F. C. Jensen, James Larsen, W. D. Candland, A. S. Nielsen, and Richard Whittaker. This company built a large frame storehouse west of the D. & R. G. Railroad track, and shipped large quantities of wool. The other company, a similar one organized a little later, was known as the Union Wool & Live Stock Company, and did similar busi­ness with Andrew Madsen, president; N. P. Nielsen, vice presi­dent; Neil M. Madsen, secretary; J. D. Page, Simon T. 'Beck, A. J. Aagard, and C. W. Anderson as directors. Many million pounds of wool and many thousand head of sheep were shipped out and marketed.  History of Mt. Pleasant, Longsdorf pp173,174


In 1895 the Consolidated Furniture Company was organized by F. C. Jensen, with F. C. Jensen, President, and Ferdinand Clark, Secretary.  History of Mt. Pleasant p 175

During the year, (1908) the Progress Mercantile Company, which became very prominent in the business world, was incorporated with James Larsen, president; F. C. Jensen, vice president; H. C. Jacobs, secretary-treasurer; S. E. Jensen, James Monsen, Andrew Larsen, John Strom and Andrew Swenson, directors. Their place of busi­ness was established in the Equitable building, formerly occupied by the Aldrich Brothers. History of Mt. Pleasant p 183

In 1909, Dr. W. P. Winters purchased a Buick, and Frank Waldermar an E. M. F. About a year or so later, Christian Hansen purchased a ,Buick, Showman Longsdorf, a Case, and F. C. Jensen, a Cadillac. Among other early cars were those owned by Lyman Aldrich, Wallace Petty and Hyrum Merz.  History of Mt. Pleasant p 195

1894-5. Mayor, Abram Johnson; Recorder, J. D. Page ; Marshal, Thomas Braby; Justice of the Peace, Ferdinand Clark; Treasurer, H. C. Beaumann; Assessor and Collector, W. E. Watson; Councilors, N. S. Nielson, Abner Crane, Peter Matson, F. C. Jensen, W. D. Candland.  History of Mt. Pleasant p 236

1898-9. Mayor, Ferdinand Ericksen; Recorder, C. J. Jensen; Treasurer, Candace B. Wilcox; Marshal, Joseph Monsen; Jus­tice of the Peace, Andrew Neilson;" Councilors, James Larsen, William Olson, George H. Marshall, Rasmus Anderson, C. W. Sorenson, (15) F. C. Jensen.  History of Mt. Pleasant p 236

"By this time (1895) there had been built a number of modern school buildings throughout the city, but the people clamored for a Cen­tral School building, and a new modern twelve room building, at a cost of fully $20,000.00, was erected on the southwest corner, intersection of Main and First East. D. C. Jensen became princi­pal, he having served for three years previous. Mr. Jensen was assisted by the following well trained teachers: Lydia Hastier, Mary Johansen, Caroline Lovegren, John Lovegren, C. N. Lund Jr., 

Joseph Hughes was chosen principal in 1904, serving until 1907, when he was succeeded by P. M. Nielsen, who served for several years, also giving entire satisfaction. Twenty-four large and beautiful pictures were purchased for interior decoration at the school. The pictures made the halls most attractive. They were intended to create in the pupils a desire for fine art, that the homes might also be decorated with the proper kind of pictures.  "The trustees of the school at this time were F. C. Jensen, C.N. Lund, and Abner Crane. "History of Mt. Pleasant p 262

Frederick C. Jensen House

2nd West & 2nd South
Mt. Pleasant, UT 84647




Sunday, April 26, 2020

Gas Prices and the Pandemic



THOSE WERE THE DAYS  .........REGULAR 19 cents, ......ETHEL 24 cents a gallon at the CORNER CONOCO

Americans are cancelling road trips, running fewer errands and finding they do not have to drop their children off at school following widespread closings.


Gasoline prices have tumbled as global economic weakness and “stay at home” orders have limited driving and trimmed crude oil prices, gasoline’s key ingredient. Lower demand translated to the local gas price index falling for five weeks by 51 cents, the biggest drop since Feb. 22, 2016.




Monday, April 20, 2020

M. G. Rolph and Co. 1880

           Magnus Gustavus Rolph, Alan Mills, Henry Mills,
               Chas Mills, James Jesson, Harvy Tidwell








ROLPH, M. G., proprietor Mt. Pleasant Cigar Factory, son of Mons and Bengta, was born in Sweden December 21, 1861. 
The family came to Mt. Pleasant by ox-train in 1866. At the age of 16 he engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, N. A., who died in New York City in 1886. 
He continued the business till 1892, when he sold out and purchased sheep, which venture was not a success. July 15, 1896, 
He opened his present cigar factory, where he employs two men and does a good business, his brands are Queen City Gem, Sanpete Famous, Peerless and Honest Five. 
He owns the post office building and a place on either side of it. Is a member of .the A. O. U. W., holding the office of guide.  
Was member of the City Council four years and Deputy United States Marshal one year. 
Married in Logan April 28, 1888, to Annie, daughter of John and Karn Knudsen.  She had three children: Ettie, Lucille and Annie, and died in this city October 8, 1891.
History of Sanpete
Published by W. H. Lever in 1898
Prominent Citizens of Mt. Pleasant



Sunday, April 19, 2020

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).





Just once a year, July 4th, we take the Relic Home's 45 star flag out of its display case and let it grace the festivities of the day.

The 45-Star flag became the official United States Flag on July 4, 1896. A star was added for the admission of Utah on January 4th, 1896 and was to last for 12 years. The Presidents who served under this flag were: Grover Cleveland (1893-1897), William McKinley (1897-1901), and Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909).

The Spanish - American War was fought under this flag; a conflict between the Kingdom of Spain and the United States of America that took place from April to August of 1898.



Flag Timeline

States and their dates of admission are shown in bold red. Starting in 1819, the updated flag becomes legal on the Fourth of July following the date of admission.
1775
anappealtoheaven
American ships in New England waters flew a "Liberty Tree" flag in 1775. It shows a green pine tree on a white background, with the words, "An Appeal to Heaven."
1775
donttreadonme
The Continental Navy used this flag, with the warning, "Don't Tread on Me," upon its inception.
1775
sonsofliberty
Sons of Liberty flag.
1775
newengland
New England flag.
1775
forster
Forster flag.
1776
gu Star Flag
January 1 — The Grand Union flag (Continental Colors) is displayed on Prospect Hill. It has 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).
1776
betsy
May — Betsy Ross reports that she sewed the first American flag
1777
13_stars2
Another 13-star flag, in the 3-2-3-2-3 pattern.
1777?
cowpens
Cowpens Flag. According to some sources, this flag was first used in 1777. It was used by the Third Maryland Regiment. There was no official pattern for how the stars were to be arranged. The flag was carried at the Battle of Cowpens, which took place on January 17, 1781, in South Carolina. The actual flag from that battle hangs in the Maryland State House.
1777
brandywine
Brandywine Flag.
1777
13 Star Flag
June 14 — Continental Congress adopts the following: Resolved: that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. Stars represent Delaware (December 7, 1787), Pennsylvania (December 12, 1787), New Jersey (December 18, 1787), Georgia (January 2, 1788), Connecticut (January 9, 1788), Massachusetts (February 6, 1788), Maryland (April 28, 1788), South Carolina (May 23, 1788), New Hampshire (June 21, 1788), Virginia (June 25, 1788), New York (July 26, 1788), North Carolina (November 21, 1789), and Rhode Island (May 29, 1790)
1779
johnpauljones
John Paul Jones Flag, also called the Serapis Flag.
1781?
guilford
The Guilford Flag.
1787Captain Robert Gray carries the flag around the world on his sailing vessel (around the tip of South America, to China, and beyond). He discovered a great river and named it after his boatThe Columbia. His discovery was the basis of America's claim to the Oregon Territory.
1795
15 Star Flag
Flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes Vermont (March 4, 1791), Kentucky (June 1, 1792)
1803
indianpeace
Indian Peace Flag.
1814September 14 — Francis Scott Key writes "The Star-Spangled Banner." It officially becomes the national anthem in 1931.
1814
easton
Easton Flag.
1818
20 Star Flag
Flag with 20 stars and 13 stripes (it remains at 13 hereafter)Tennessee (June 1, 1796), Ohio (March 1, 1803), Louisiana (April 30, 1812), Indiana (December 11, 1816), Mississippi (December 10, 1817)
1819
21 Star Flag
Flag with 21 stars Illinois (December 3, 1818)
1820
23 Star Flag
Flag with 23 stars Alabama (December 14, 1819), Maine (March 15, 1820)
first flag on Pikes Peak
c. 1820-30
bennington
Bennington Flag. According to some accounts, this flag was flown at the Battle of Bennington. It is sometimes called the Fillmore Flag. The story goes that Nathaniel Fillmore took this flag home from the battlefield, and the flag was passed down through generations of Fillmores, including Millard, and today it can be seen at Vermont's Bennington Museum. Most experts doubt this story and date the flag to about 1820-30.
1822
24 Star Flag
Flag with 24 stars Missouri (August 10, 1821)
1836
25 Star Flag
Flag with 25 stars Arkansas (June 15, 1836)
1837
26 Star Flag
Flag with 26 stars Michigan (Jan 26, 1837)
1837
greatstar
Great Star Flag.
1845
27 Star Flag
Flag with 27 stars Florida (March 3, 1845)
1846
28 Star Flag
Flag with 28 stars Texas (December 29, 1845)
1847
29 Star Flag
Flag with 29 stars Iowa (December 28, 1846)
1847
29_stars2
29 Star Flag.
1848
30 Star Flag
Flag with 30 stars Wisconsin (May 29, 1848)
1851
31 Star Flag
Flag with 31 stars California (September 9, 1850)
1858
32 Star Flag
Flag with 32 stars Minnesota (May 11, 1858)
1859
33 Star Flag
Flag with 33 stars Oregon (February 14, 1859)
1861
34 Star Flag
Flag with 34 stars; Kansas (January 29, 1861)
Note: Even after the South seceded from the Union, President Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag.

• first Confederate Flag (Stars and Bars) adopted in Montgomery, Alabama
1861
ftsumter
Fort Sumter Flag.
1863
35 Star Flag
Flag with 35 stars West Virginia (June 20, 1863)
1865
36 Star Flag
Flag with 36 stars Nevada (October 31, 1864)
1867
37 Star Flag
Flag with 37 stars Nebraska (March 1, 1867)
1869
flagstamp
First flag on a postage stamp
1876
centennial
Centennial Flag.
1877
38 Star Flag
Flag with 38 stars Colorado (August 1, 1876)
1877
38_stars2
38 Star Flag.
1889Flag with 39 stars that never was! Flag manufacturers believed that the two Dakotas would be admitted as one state and so manufactured this flag, some of which still exist. It was never an official flag.
1890
43 Star Flag
Flag with 43 stars North Dakota (November 2, 1889), South Dakota (November 2, 1889), Montana (November 8, 1889), Washington (November 11, 1889), Idaho (July 3, 1890)
1891
44 Star Flag
Flag with 44 stars Wyoming (July 10, 1890)
1892"Pledge of Allegiance" first published in a magazine called "The Youth's Companion," written by Francis Bellamy.
1896
45 Star Flag
Flag with 45 stars Utah (January 4, 1896)
1897Adoption of State Flag Desecration Statutes — By the late 1800's an organized flag protection movement was born in reaction to perceived commercial and political misuse of the flag. After supporters failed to obtain federal legislation, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota became the first States to adopt flag desecration statutes. By 1932, all of the States had adopted flag desecration laws.

In general, these State laws outlawed: (i) placing any kind of marking on the flag, whether for commercial, political, or other purposes; (ii) using the flag in any form of advertising; and (iii) publicly mutilating, trampling, defacing, defiling, defying or casting contempt, either by words or by act, upon the flag. Under the model flag desecration law, the term "flag" was defined to include any flag, standard, ensign, or color, or any representation of such made of any substance whatsoever and of any size that evidently purported to be said flag or a picture or representation thereof, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and stripes in any number, or by which the person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag of the U.S.
1907Halter v. Nebraska (205 U.S. 34) — The Supreme Court holds that although the flag was a federal creation, the States' had the authority to promulgate flag desecration laws under their general police power to safeguard public safety and welfare.

Halter involved a conviction of two businessmen selling "Stars and Stripes" brand beer with representations of the U.S. flag affixed to the labels. The defendants did not raise any First Amendment claim.
1908
46 Star Flag
Flag with 46 stars Oklahoma (November 16, 1907)
1909Robert Peary places the flag his wife sewed atop the North Pole. He left fragments of it as he traveled north. Ref
1912June 24, President Taft signs Executive Order which establishes proportions of the flag and specifies arrangement and orientation of the stars.
1912
48 Star Flag
Flag with 48 stars New Mexico (January 6, 1912), Arizona (February 14, 1912)
1931Stromberg v. California (283 U.S. 359) — The Supreme Court finds that a State statute prohibiting the display of a "red flag" as a sign of opposition to organized government unconstitutionally infringed on the defendant's First Amendment rights. Stromberg represents the Court's first declaration that "symbolic speech" is protected by the First Amendment.
1942Federal Flag Code (36 U.S.C. 171 et seq.) — On June 22, 1942, President Roosevelt approves the Federal Flag Code, providing for uniform guidelines for the display and respect shown to the flag. The Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include any enforcement provisions, rather it functions simply as a guide for voluntary civilian compliance.
1943West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (319 U.S. 624) — The Supreme Court holds that public school children could not be compelled to salute the U.S. flag. In a now famous passage, Justice Jackson highlighted the importance of freedom of expression under the First Amendment:
Freedom to differ is not limited to things that do not matter much. That would be a mere shadow of freedom. The test of its substance is the right to differ as to things that touch the heart of the existing order. If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion or other matters of opinion.
1945The flag that flew over Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, is flown over the White House on August 14, when the Japanese accepted surrender terms.
1949August 3 — Truman signs bill requesting the President call for Flag Day (June 14) observance each year by proclamation.
1954By act of Congress, the words "Under God" are inserted into the Pledge of Allegiance
1959
49 Star Flag
Flag with 49 stars Alaska (January 3, 1959)
1960
50 Star Flag
Flag with 50 stars Hawaii (August 21, 1959)
1962In the case Engel v. Vitale, the court decides that government-directed prayer in public schools is unconstitutional, a violation of the Establishment Clause. This case is relevant to the flag in that it set a precedent for debate over use of the phrase "under God" which was added to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954.
1963Flag placed on top of Mount Everest by Barry Bishop.
1968Adoption of Federal Flag Desecration Law (18 U.S.C. 700 et seq.) — Congress approves the first federal flag desecration law in the wake of a highly publicized Central Park flag burning incident in protest of the Vietnam War. The federal law made it illegal to "knowingly" cast "contempt" upon "any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it." The law defined flag in an expansive manner similar to most States.
1969July 20 — The American flag is placed on the moon by Neil Armstrong.
1969Street v. New York (394 U.S. 576) — The Supreme Court holds that New York could not convict a person based on his verbal remarks disparaging the flag. Street was arrested after he learned of the shooting of civil rights leader James Meredith and reacted by burning his own flag and exclaiming to a small crowd that if the government could allow Meredith to be killed, "we don't need no damn flag." The Court avoided deciding whether flag burning was protected by the First Amendment, and instead overturned the conviction based on Street's oral remarks. In Street, the Court found there was not a sufficient governmental interest to warrant regulating verbal criticism of the flag.
1972Smith v. Goguen (415 U.S. 94) — The Supreme Court holds that Massachusetts could not prosecute a person for wearing a small cloth replica of the flag on the seat of his pants based on a State law making it a crime to publicly treat the flag of the United States with "contempt." The Massachusetts statute was held to be unconstitutionally "void for vagueness."
1974Spence v. Washington (418 U.S. 405) — The Supreme Court holds that the State of Washington could not convict a person for attaching removable tape in the form of a peace sign to a flag. The defendant had attached the tape to his flag and draped it outside of his window in protest of the U.S. invasion of Cambodia and the Kent State killings. The Court again found under the First Amendment there was not a sufficient governmental interest to justify regulating this form of symbolic speech. Although not a flag burning case, this represented the first time the Court had clearly stated that protest involving the physical use of the flag should be seen as a form of protected expression under the First Amendment.
1970-1980Revision of State Flag Desecration Statutes — During this period legislatures in some 20 States narrow the scope of their flag desecration laws in an effort to conform to perceived Constitutional restrictions under the Street, Smith, and Spence cases and to more generally parallel the federal law (i.e., focusing more specifically on mutilation and other forms of physical desecration, rather than verbal abuse or commercial or political misuse).
1989Texas v. Johnson (491 U.S. 397) — The Supreme Court upholds the Texas Court of Criminal appeals finding that Texas law — making it a crime to "desecrate" or otherwise "mistreat" the flag in a way the "actor knows will seriously offend one or more persons" — was unconstitutional as applied. This was the first time the Supreme Court had directly considered the applicability of the First Amendment to flag burning.

Gregory Johnson, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, was arrested during a demonstration outside of the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas after he set fire to a flag while protestors chanted "America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you." In a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Brennan, the Court first found that burning the flag was a form of symbolic speech subject to protection under the First Amendment. The Court also determined that under United States v. O'Brien, 391 U.S. 367 (1968), since the State law was related to the suppression of freedom of expression, the conviction could only be upheld if Texas could demonstrate a "compelling" interest in its law. The Court next found that Texas' asserted interest in "protecting the peace" was not implicated under the facts of the case. Finally, while the Court acknowledged that Texas had a legitimate interest in preserving the flag as a "symbol of national unity," this interest was not sufficiently compelling to justify a "content based" legal restriction (i.e., the law was not based on protecting the physical integrity of the flag in all circumstances, but was designed to protect it from symbolic protest likely to cause offense to others).
1989Revision of Federal Flag Desecration Statute — Pursuant to the Flag Protection Act of 1989, Congress amends the 1968 federal flag desecration statute in an effort to make it "content neutral" and conform to the Constitutional requirements of Johnson. As a result, the 1989 Act sought to prohibit flag desecration under all circumstances by deleting the statutory requirement that the conduct cast contempt upon the flag and narrowing the definition of the term "flag" so that its meaning was not based on the observation of third parties.
1990United States v. Eichman (496 U.S. 310) — Passage of the Flag Protection Act results in a number of flag burning incidents protesting the new law. The Supreme Court overturned several flag burning convictions brought under the Flag Protection Act of 1989. The Court holds that notwithstanding Congress' effort to adopt a more content neutral law, the federal law continued to be principally aimed at limiting symbolic speech.
1990Rejection of Constitutional Amendment — Following the Eichman decision, Congress considers and rejects a Constitutional Amendment specifying that "the Congress and the States have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States." The amendment failed to muster the necessary two-thirds Congressional majorities, as it was supported by only a 254 — 177 margin in the House (290 votes were necessary) and a 58 — 42 margin in the Senate (67 votes were necessary).
1995December 12 — The Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment is narrowly defeated in the Senate. The Amendment to the Constitution would make burning the flag a punishable crime.
2001
sept 11 flag
September 11 — The Flag from the World Trade towers survives and becomes a symbol of sacrifice in service, loss, and determination.
2002June 26 — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California declares that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because "under God" (inserted into the Pledge in 1954) was a violation of the Establishment Clause, that expression not create the reasonable impression that the government is sponsoring, endorsing, or inhibiting religion generally, or favoring or disfavoring a particular religion. This ruling was reconfirmed in February 2003, and applies only to the 9th Circuit (the following districts: Alaska, Arizona, Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Eastern and Western Washington, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands). (See 2010)
2004June 14 — The Supreme Court declines to hear a case challenging "One nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. "While the court did not address the merits of the case, it is clear that the Pledge of Allegiance and the words 'under God' can continue to be recited by students across America," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice.
2005January 25 — Constitutional amendment, sponsored by Rep. Duke Cunningham, introduced. It reads simply, "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

June 22 — The Constitutional amendment (see above) is approved by the House (vote of 286-130). It requires Senate approval. Then it must receive approval from 38 states within seven years.
2006June 28 — The Senate is one vote short of passing the Constitutional amendment (see above).
2006July 19 — H.R.42 is passed, preventing condominiums or residential real estate management associations from forbidding the flying of the US flag. Read full law
2010The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California declares that the phrase "under God" in the Pledge is constitutional. The majority decision states, “The Pledge of Allegiance serves to unite our vast nation through the proud recitation of some of the ideals upon which our Republic was founded.” It states later, "Coercion to engage in a patriotic activity, like the Pledge of Allegiance, does not run afoul of the Establishment Clause." (See 2002) Read decision [pdf]
????
51 Star Flag
Proposed flag with 51 stars, to be used if a 51st state is added.

The above timeline is courtesy of: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagfact.html
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