THE SPACE ALIEN LEARNS AOUT OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.

 The Space Alien is very patriotic and has learned all the verses of our United States National Anthem.   You can eee them here.

It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 after he witnessed the American flag surviving the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812. It was officially adopted as the anthem by an act of Congress in 1931.------------------------------------------

Complete version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" showing spelling and punctuation

from Francis Scott Key's manuscript in the Maryland Historical Society collection.

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,

'Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

A home and a Country should leave us no more?

Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand

Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

###

THE SPACE ALIEN OBSERVES JUNETEENTH.

June 19th is a most important milestone in U. S. History. As always, gently click on the footnote numbers to see their

The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture  has prepared information on this important day.  Here is what the Space Alien found there:

Deepen your understanding of the holiday's roots through the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture or review the federal designation via the National Park Service. [1, 2]

Key details about the historical milestone include:

• The Delayed News: Though President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation legally freed enslaved people on January 1, 1863, it was largely unenforceable in Confederate-controlled areas like Texas until the arrival of Union Major General Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865. [1]
• The Spread of the Tradition: Originally celebrated in Texas in 1866, Juneteenth evolved into the longest-running African American holiday. It is frequently referred to as "America's second Independence Day". [1, 2, 3]
• Federal Recognition: It was officially signed into law as a U.S. federal holiday on June 17th, 2021. [1]

Celebrations traditionally involve community gatherings, historical education, and reflections on Black resilience and culture. [1, 2]

Juneteenth is always observed on June 19. The holiday is celebrated on this specific date every year because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. [1, 2, 3]

While the official observance date remains on June 19, government offices and businesses adjust their schedules depending on what day of the week it falls: [1, 2, 3]

• If June 19 falls on a weekend, many government offices and financial institutions will observe the federal holiday on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. [1, 2]
• Many community organizations and local celebrations will hold their festivals and events on the weekend nearest to June 19 to encourage higher attendance. [1, 2, 3 ]

The Space Alien will attend community gatherings on June 19th and is working hard to learn all the details of this most important milestone in United States history.

MORE ABOUT JUNE ON THE ISLE OF MAY ON THIS CLASSICAL THEME BY PYTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY

Second Hand Songs website features this

https://secondhandsongs.com/work/161736/allSONG

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On the Isle of May

Lyrics written by

Mack David

Original music written by

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Language

English

Adapted from

Струнный квартет № 1 (String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Opus 11) written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Lyricization

Comments

Arranged by Andre Kostelanetz

Published by

FAMOUS MUSIC CORP GEMA 

Licensing

Request a synchronization license 

THE SPACE ALIEN STUDIES THE HISTORY OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES

The Space Alien is very observant, and noticed the flag of the United State flying in many places -- sometimes just on special days, and sometimes every day during daylight hours.  The Space Alien was curious about this and found much information at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States

Here the Space Alien read:

"The flag was created as an item of military equipment to identify U.S. ships and forts. It evolved gradually during early American history, and was not designed by any one person. The flag exploded in popularity in 1861 as a symbol of opposition to the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter. It came to symbolize the Union in the American Civil War; Union victory solidified its status as a national flag. Because of the country's emergence as a superpower in the 20th century, the flag is now among the most widely recognized symbols in the world."

And also learned:

"The current design of the U.S. flag is its 27th; the design of the flag has been modified officially 26 times since 1777. The 48-star flag was in effect for 47 years until the 49-star version became official on July 4, 1959. The 50-star flag was ordered by then president Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, and was adopted in July 1960. It is the longest-used version of the U.S. flag and has been in use for over 65 years."

The Space Alien intends to fly the flag of the United States on Flag Day which is observed every June 14th 1977 which is the day when the Second Continental Congress adopted the design for the first American Flag.  

This day begins National Flag Week.

The Space Alien found more information at this website, and Loyal Readers are encouraged to do so as well!  

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/flag-day-and-national-flag-week-2025/

                                                                              ###

THE SPACE ALIEN OBSERVES FLAG DAY

 Every June 14 is Flag Day in the United States. The Space Alien will march in community parades and attend other ceremonies to commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777.

This is just one year after we became the free United States in 1776.  

There will be flag retirement ceremonies to retire tattered or damaged flags.  

Schools and local museums will educate the public on the flag's history.  The meaning of its colors may be red for color, white for purity and blue for vigilance, say some authorities.  

Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, but the Space Alien observes it just the same, and never lets the American Flag touch the ground!  ###

THE SPACE ALIEN POSTS ONCE AGAIN THIS POPULAR SONG BUILT ON A CLASSICAL THEME

The Space Alien is posting this again because many missed it the first time!  And there may be more in this post.

 Here is what the Space Alien found online: The source of the music and melody for the 1940's popular song "On the Isle of May" is the second movement (Andante cantabile) from the String Quartet in D Major, Op 11 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

The classical melody was adapted into a vocal pop standard in 1939 with lyrics written by Mack David. 

• Classic Vocal Versions: One of the most famous recordings of the song was by American jazz singer Connee Boswell (recorded in 1940).
• Big Band Versions: The instrumental and orchestral version by the Kay Kyser Orchestra also became a massive hit.

The popular lyrics were written by Mack David.   

Here they are so you can sing them too:

We strolled along

Through the heavens

And it was June
June on the Isle of May

Your lips were sweet
As the heaven
Love was in bloom
There on the Isle of May

Close in your arms
Heaven opened its doors
Then like a fool
I sailed away

But our love

Will bring us together

When it is June

June on the Isle of May

        ###

THE SPACE ALIEN OBSERVES FLAG DAY

 The Space Alien loves special days, and one of these that will be here soon is Flag Day observed in the United States on June 14th.

The Space Alien scurried to the nearest public library to learn more about Flag Day.  Here is what the Space Alien learned: 

Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14 in the United States to commemorate the adoption of the American flag on that date in 1777. It is not a federal public holiday, but rather a day of national observance where Americans honor the history, symbolism, and legacy of the Stars and Stripes. [1, 2]. (Please click on the footnotes for the sources).

History

• The First Flag: On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that the flag of the United States should consist of "13 stripes, alternate red and white" and "13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation". [1]
• Official Recognition: Wisconsin schoolteacher Bernard J. Cigrand first proposed an annual flag holiday in 1885. Years of local and state campaigning eventually led President Woodrow Wilson to issue a presidential proclamation in 1916 establishing Flag Day. [1, 2, 3]
National Establishment: On August 3, 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress officially designating June 14 as National Flag Day. [1, 2]

The Space Alien wanted to celebrate Flag Day and found these suggestions online:

Flag Day on June 14 is celebrated across the United States with patriotic observances that commemorate the Continental Congress's 1777 adoption of the Stars and Stripes. While not an official federal holiday, it is marked by community parades, flag-retirement ceremonies, displays of the flag at residences, and presidential proclamations. [1, 2, 3, 4]  (If you wish to review these sources please click on the footnote numbers).
Common ways Flag Day is observed include:
• Displaying the Flag: Citizens are encouraged to hang the American flag outside their homes, and the flag is traditionally flown at all U.S. government buildings. [1, 2]
• Community Parades: Many cities and towns host parades featuring marching bands, veterans, and civic groups to honor the flag's symbolism. Locations such as Fairfield, Washington, and Quincy, Massachusetts, are especially famous for their long-running celebrations. [1, 2]
• Flag Retirement Ceremonies: Organizations like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) hold formal ceremonies to respectfully retire worn, damaged, or unserviceable American flags. [1]
• National Flag Week: The week containing June 14 is officially designated as "National Flag Week," during which the President issues a proclamation urging Americans to display the flag and reflect on its history. [1, 2]

The Space Alien found Your Editor's wallet and took enough money to go to a store to buy an American Flag to  display.  Your Editor was happy to support the Space Alien in this patriotic activity, and hope Loyal Readers will consider doing this as well!