Shreveport Chapter, NSDAR

09/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DYZUb196m/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🇺🇸📜 "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there"

On the night of September 13–14, 1814, a Maryland lawyer watched a fort refuse to fall — and wrote the words that became our national anthem.

Francis Scott Key had gone aboard a British warship to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes but he wasn't allowed to leave. From roughly eight miles below the fort, he watched sixteen British ships bombard Fort McHenry for twenty-five hours, he dreaded the sight at dawn being the British flag flying over Baltimore.

When he saw the American flag still aloft, he wrote the first verse on the back of a letter.

"And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, / Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."

He titled it "The Defence of Fort M'Henry," and it was set to the tune of a popular song, "To Anacreon in Heaven." The failed bombardment ended the British assault on Baltimore — a city that had spent a year preparing its own defenses. In 1931, Congress made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national anthem of the United States.

A self-governing people defended a harbor no monarch had ordered them to hold. That is what consent of the governed looks like in practice.

Two hundred and twelve years later, that flag is still sung about — this week, by the next generation.

Constitution Day Livestream from Mount Vernon — winning song performances, special guests, and the announcement of our 2026 We The Future Contest winners.

📅 Thursday, September 17
🕐 1:00–2:30 PM ET

📌 Learn more:
https://us.constitutingamerica.org/ConstitutionDayLiveStream

America250 Freedom 250

Sources: Library of Congress (first printing of "Defence of Fort M'Henry"), National Park Service — Fort McHenry, Gilder Lehrman Institute, American Battlefield Trust, Britannica.

09/12/2026

04/04/2026

April 4, 1818 🇺🇸

On this day, Congress passed the Flag Act of 1818, a defining moment in the evolution of the American flag. Following the War of 1812 Congress set the design that brought us the flag as we know it.

The Act established two lasting principles:
• The flag would return to 13 stripes, honoring the original colonies
• A new star would be added for each new state, ensuring the flag grows with the nation

04/04/2026

I've never built a nest. Not once in my life. Neither did my mother. Neither did hers.

I'm a brown-headed cowbird. I lay my eggs in other birds' nests and let them raise my young. I've been doing this for thousands of years — not because I'm lazy, but because I evolved alongside bison.

🐦 My ancestors followed the herds across the Great Plains. Bison moved constantly, grazing across hundreds of miles. The insects they kicked up were our food. We couldn't stop to nest. We couldn't stay in one place for the weeks it takes to incubate eggs and raise chicks. The herd would leave us behind.

So we developed a different system. Lay an egg in a warbler's nest. A sparrow's nest. A vireo's nest. Move on with the herd. Let someone else do the sitting.

The bison are gone from most of the landscape now. I'm still here. The behavior remains because it's written into my biology, not my choices.

🌿 I watch other birds build. I memorize their schedules. I visit the nest when the owner is away and lay one egg in under a minute. My egg hatches faster than theirs — usually by a day. My chick is larger. It begs louder.

A reproductive strategy older than the prairies it evolved on.

I'm not popular at your feeder. But the bison moved. I followed. The nest was never part of the plan. 🌱

04/03/2026

Today is American’s Creed Day!

The American's Creed written by William Tyler Page, was accepted by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 3, 1918, and read for the first time by Dr. Claxton, Commissioner of Education, in Congress on April 6.

Dr. Claxton explained the significance of the creed, as follows: “This is a creed very fitting to be announced at this time, and the good thing about it is that it is not new, but it sums up the fundamental faith of all the greatest of our leaders from the beginning until now; a creed that can be recommended not only by those who may come from the shores of Europe or Asia to make their home among us and become of us, but to those of our flesh and blood who come from the shores of eternity to grow up among and to take our places and to carry on our institutional life and to support and defend the country.”

Within days of its being accepted by the House, it was read for the first time before the DAR National Society during the 27th Continental Congress, April 15-20, 1918. For the ensuing 28th Continental Congress in 1919, the Daughters invited Page himself to lead them in in reciting the Creed.

03/27/2026

National Vietnam Veterans Day
March 29, 2026
As members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, we pause to honor the brave men and women who served during the Vietnam War. Their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to our nation reflect the same spirit of patriotism we strive to preserve and promote.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all Vietnam veterans for their service and the challenges they faced both during and after the war. Their commitment to defending freedom will never be forgotten.
Let us take time today to recognize and thank a Vietnam veteran for their service and sacrifice. ❤️🤍💙

03/27/2026

A rare Louisiana Purchase document, signed by Napoleon, will be on display at the old Louisiana State Capitol starting April 14.

09/28/2025

Honoring those families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. Gold Star families deserve our gratitude and prayers today and every day.

09/20/2025

Shreveport Chapter represents at the 2025 NW District Constitution Luncheon