Thankful

Entrance to the exhibit hall for the American History Museum's
most prized artifact: The Star Spangled Banner.

On my way out to the states this morning to enjoy the bounteous blessings of comestible consumption, I stopped briefly at the newly renovated and reopened National Museum of American History. This is the Smithsonian's repository of some of our nation's greatest treasures of historical significance.

The highlight of the entire museum is the flag that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor when the British laid siege to the port during the War of 1812. It was this flag that Francis Scott Key saw in the morning light and which inspired him to write The Star Spangled Banner--America's national anthem. Lines to see the flag were 20 deep this morning and I only had limited time, but I did capture this abstract flag outside the exhibit hall. I snapped a few more pictures in some of the galleries and will post a few of those next week.

Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday, even more than July 4th. In addition to just being grateful for the many privileges I, and my fellow Americans, enjoy and the right to participate in the democratic process by voting, I'm also thankful for family and friends who enrich my life. To those of you who have visited D.C. Confidential over the last year, thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Have a safe and fun-filled holiday.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 11/08