Marshall Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday with Historic Flag Walking Tour

In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, Choose Marshall is proud to invite residents and visitors to experience American history in a vibrant new way through the American Flags Walking Tour. This self-guided journey through Marshall’s beautiful historic downtown uses the evolution of the American flag to tell the story of a nation’s birth, its struggles, and its triumphs. As participants follow the flag banners displayed throughout the downtown district, they will embark on a chronological journey starting with the birth of America during the Revolutionary War. The tour continues through the era of a conflicted nation during the Civil War, highlights historic moments from World War II, and illustrates the pivotal roles the stars and stripes have played in shaping the American identity.

This tour is more than just a walk through our downtown; it’s a tangible way to connect with the values our flag represents,” said Kimber Thompson, Director of Tourism. “As we approach the nation’s 250th birthday, we want to provide a fun, educational experience that honors our shared history and the human qualities—courage, sacrifice, and justice—that the flag signifies.

Tour Highlights & Quick Facts:

→ A Living History: Learn about the 27 official versions of the American flag that have existed since 1776, as well as the unique regimental and garrison flags used during the Revolutionary War.

→ Symbolism in Color: Discover the meaning behind the colors as noted by President Reagan in 1986: Red for courage and sacrifice, White for pure intentions, and Blue for vigilance and justice.

→ Flag Etiquette: The tour also educates the public on proper Flag Code, such as ensuring the union is at the top left when displayed and the importance of never letting the flag touch the ground.

For those with worn-out flags, the tour provides a local solution: flags can be taken to the Veterans Office in the Calhoun County Building on Green Street for proper disposal, where new flags are also available for purchase.

Visitors can access the tour via a mobile-friendly map or print out a PDF version, both accessible at choosemarshall.com/things-to-do. The Flag Tour will be displayed in downtown Marshall through November.