History and symbolism of the Irish tricolour Rarely has a flag possessed such lasting relevance as that of the "Tricolour," the national flag of the Republic of Ireland. Its three equal stripes illustrate the Irish political landscape as accurately today as in 1848, the year the flag was first unfurled. orange— standing for Irish Protestants green— signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause white— representing the hope for peace between them Why Orange? The color orange is associated with Northern Irish Protestants because of William of Orange(William III), the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland who in 1690 defeated the deposed King James II, a Roman Catholic, in the fateful Battle of the Boynenear Dublin. William III's victory secured Protestant dominance over the island, to the enormous benefit of the 17th-century colonizers of northern Ireland — the English (mainly Anglicans) and Scots (mostly Presbyterians). Sometimes called Orangemen, Protestants in Northern Ireland celebrate the anniversary of the battle each July 12th. Green for the Emerald Isle? Green as the color standing for the Irish Catholic nationalists of the south may have something to do with shamrocks and verdant landscapes, but more importantly, green symbolizes revolution. An earlier, unofficial Irish flag —the gold harp on a green background— served from 1798 until the early twentieth century as a symbol of nationalism. As the revolutionary James Connollywrote, just weeks before he participated in the quixotic Easter Rebellion (1916) that led to his execution by firing squad: For centuries the green flag of Ireland was a thing accurst and hated by the English garrison in Ireland, as it is still in their inmost hearts... ...the green flag of Ireland will be solemnly hoisted over Liberty Hall as a symbol of our faith in freedom, and as a token to all the world that the working class of Dublin stands for the cause of Ireland, and the cause of Ireland is the cause of a separate and distinct nationality. —Worker's Republic,April 8, 1916 A Lasting Truce between Orange and Green? Although it was not adopted as the national flag of Ireland until independence from Britain on December 6, 1921, the Tricolour was first unfurled in public on March 7, 1848, by the militant nationalist Thomas Francis Meagher1, (the stripes, however, were arranged differently at that time). Explaining the significance of the Tricolour, Meagher expressed a hope for his country that is unfortunately still unrealized today: The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the "Orange" and the "Green," and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood. 1. Irish revolutionary was just one of Meagher's careers: he was also a prisoner in a Tasmanian penal colony, a New York City lawyer, and a Civil War general for the Union Army.

U.S. Flag Timeline A history of Old Glory by Ann-Marie Imbornoni 1776 1777 1794 1814 1818 1912 1916 1949 1960 1776 Jan. 2 The first unofficial national flag, called the Grand Unionor Continental Colours, was raised at the behest of Gen. George Washingtonnear his headquarters outside Boston, Mass. The flag had 13 alternating red and white horizontal stripes and the British Union Flag (a predecessor of the Union Jack) in the upper left corner. May According to a popular story, George Washington and two other representatives from the Continental Congresscalled upon a Philadelphia seamstress, Betsy Ross, to ask her to make a new American flag. This version of events cannot be confirmed by historians, however. Although nobody knows for sure who designed the flag, it may have been Continental Congress member Francis Hopkinson. Top 1777 June 14 The first official flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes or Old Glory, was approved by the Continental Congress: "Resolved, That the Flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." The resolution did not specify how the stars should be arranged, and so the layout varied. Top 1794 Jan. 13 Congress authorized the addition of two more stars and two more stripes to mark the admission of Vermontand Kentuckyto the Union in 1791 and 1792, respectively. This 15-star, 15-stripe flag, which came into use after May 1795, was the " star-spangled banner" that inspired lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key. Top 1814 Sept. 14 As daylight broke, Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry, after it had been bombarded all night by the British. Inspired, he wrote a poem entitled "The Defense of Fort M'Henry," which was later set to music and renamed the " Star-Spangled Banner." Congress made it the official national anthem in 1931. Top 1818 April 4 After five more statesjoined the Union, Congress passed legislation fixing the number of stripes at 13 and requiring that the number of stars equal the number of states. (Each new star was to be added on the 4th of July following the state's entry into the Union.) Top 1912 After New Mexicoand Arizonajoined the Union on Jan. 6 and Feb. 14, respectively, the flag had 48 stars. On June 24, President William Howard Taftissued an executive order that established the proportions of the flag and set the arrangement of the stars in horizontal rows. Top 1916 May 30 President Woodrow Wilsonproclaimed Flag Daya day of national celebration. Top 1949 Aug. 3 President Harry Trumansigned an Act of Congress that requested that the president issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Flag Dayand for the display of the flag on all federal government buildings. Top 1960 July 4 The last new star, bringing the total to 50, was added after Hawaiibecame a state.

Disaster Survival Guide You never know when disaster will strike. If it does, it’s important to be prepared. Your life—or the lives of others—may depend on knowing how get out of a tough jam. Here are some tricks that experts say will increase a person’s chances of surviving a sticky situation. You are bitten by a snake Even if you once saw it done in a movie, don’t try to suck the venom and spit it out. This will only make you absorb even more venom. Remain calm-most snake bites aren’t fatal. Panic will only make your heart beat faster, speeding the venom through your body. Clean the wound the way you would any other type of wound. Then tie a band between the wound and your heart to keep the venom from spreading too quickly. Don’t make the band as tight as a tourniquet. Seek medical attention right away. If you are in the woods and can’t easily get to a doctor, go to a road and wave down a car. You are in water with sharks Try to keep still, to keep the shark from noticing you. If you think it’s attacking, hit it in the eyes or gills. (Punch the nose only if you can’t reach the eyes or gills.) Use your fists or any hard object. Sharks aren’t interested in going after prey that fights back, so it will probably swim away. To avoid this frightening problem, it’s best not to swim alone far from the ocean’s shore. Don’t swim during the twilight or evening or wear brightly colored swimwear. Don’t swim if you have an open wound. You are attacked by a bear Don’t turn your back on the bear and run away. The bear will think you are prey and chase you. There’s no way you can outrun a bear. Nor can you out-climb one. Bears will chase you up a tree, where there’s no escape. Your best hope is lie down and play dead. The bear might come over and inspect you, maybe even swipe at you with its claws. With any luck, it will lose interest and leave. Your car is sinking First and most importantly, open the car windows. You want water to fill the car so the pressure on the car’s inside and outside will be equal. Now you will be able to open the doors. Get out of the car as quickly as possible. If you can’t open the windows, try to break them. If that doesn’t work, wait while the car slowly fills with water. Once the water has reached your head, the water pressure should be equalized. Hold your breath, open the door and swim out. You are in a lightning storm It’s not what you do—it’s what you shouldn’t do: don’t stay in high places or open ground. Don’t stand under a tree or flagpole or in a picnic area, baseball dugout or bleachers. Don’t go near metal fences and any body of water. It’s better to stand inside a large building than a small one. Once inside, don’t touch anything conductive that leads to the outside, such as window frames, showers and pipes. Don’t pick up a telephone or use a computer or TV. If you’re inside a car, roll up the windows and try not to touch anything that can conduct electricity. Your tongue is stuck to a cold pole This isn’t life-threatening—but it’s painful and embarrassing. The best advice is not to put your tongue on a freezing pole in the first place. But if you do, don’t try to quickly pull your tongue off the pole—you’ll rip it! Instead, move your hands (they should be in gloves!) over the pole near your tongue. This should warm the pole enough to let you slowly pull your tongue off. If warm water is nearby, splash it over your tongue to thaw it. Don’t put cool water or your saliva over the area: they will both freeze, making the situation stickier.

Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters, 1980–2013 (part 3 & last part): Severe Storms and Tornadoes(March 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 10 deaths reported. 2005Hurricane Wilma(October); preliminary estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damage/costs; estimated 35 deaths. Hurricane Rita(September); preliminary estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damage/costs; estimated 35 deaths. Hurricane Katrina(August); preliminary estimate of around $100 billion in damage/costs, making this the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history; circa 1800 deaths - the highest U.S. total since the 1928 major hurricane in southern Florida. Hurricane Dennis(July); preliminary estimate of over $2 billion in damage/costs; at least 12 deaths. Midwest Drought(Spring-Summer); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. 2004Hurricane Jeanne(September); preliminary estimate of over $6.9 billion in damage/costs; at least 28 deaths. Hurricane Ivan(September); NY. estimate of over $14 billion in damage/costs; at least 57 deaths. Hurricane Frances(September); estimate of approximately $9 billion in damage/costs; at least 48 deaths. Hurricane Charley(August); estimate of approximately $15 billion in damage/costs; at least 34 deaths. 2003Southern California Wildfires(Oct.–Nov.); estimate of over $2.5 billion damage/costs; 22 deaths. Hurricane Isabel(Sept.); estimate of approximately $5 billion in damages/costs; at least 55 deaths. Severe Storms and Tornadoes(May); over $3.4 billion in damages/costs; 51 deaths. Storms and Hail(April.); over $ 1.6 billion in damages/costs: 3 deaths. 2002Widespread Drought(Spring–Fall); estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damages; no deaths. Western Fire Season(Spring–Fall); $ 2.0 billion in damages/costs; 21 deaths. 2001Tropical Storm Allison(June); preliminary estimate of approximately $5.0 (5.1) billion; 43 deaths. Midwest and Ohio Tornadoes(June); $1.9 billion in damage/costs, at least 3 deaths. 2000Drought/Heat Wave(Spring–Summer); preliminary estimate more than $4.0 (4.2) billion; estimated 140 deaths nationwide. Western Fire Season(Spring–Summer); more than $2.0 (2.1) billion; no deaths reported. 1999Hurricane Floyd(Sept.); at least $6.0 (6.5) billion; 77 deaths. Eastern Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); more than $1.0 (1.1) billion; estimated 502 deaths. Oklahoma-Kansas Tornadoes(May); at least $1.6 (1.7) billion; 55 deaths. Arkansas-Tennessee Tornadoes(Jan.); approximately $1.3 (1.4) billion; 17 deaths. 1998Texas Flooding(Oct.–Nov.); approximately $1.0 (1.1) billion; 31 deaths. Hurricane Georges(Sept.); estimated $5.9 (6.5) billion; 16 deaths. Hurricane Bonnie(Aug.); approximately $1.0 (1.1) billion; 3 deaths. Southern Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); $6.0-$9.0 billion; at least 200 deaths. Minnesota Severe Storms/Hail(May); more than $1.5 (1.7) billion; 1 death. Southeast Tornadoes and Flooding(Winter–Spring); more than $1.0 (1.1) billion; at least 132 deaths. Northeast Ice Storm(Jan.); more than $1.4 (1.5) billion; 16 deaths. 1997Northern Plains Flooding(April–May); approximately $3.7 (4.1) billion; 11 deaths. Mississippi and Ohio Valleys Flooding and Tornadoes(March); estimated $1.0 (1.1) billion; 67 deaths. West Coast Flooding(Dec. 1996–Jan. 1997); approximately $3.0 (3.4) billion; 36 deaths. 1996Hurricane Fran(Sept.); more than $5.0 (5.8) billion; 37 deaths. Southern Plains Severe Drought(Fall 1995–Summer 1996); approximately $5.0 (6.0) billion; no deaths. Pacific Northwest Severe Flooding(Feb.); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 9 deaths. Blizzard of '96 and Flooding(Jan.); approximately $3.0 (3.5) billion; 187 deaths. 1995Hurricane Opal(Oct.); more than $3.0 (3.6) billion; 27 deaths. Hurricane Marilyn(Sept.); estimated $2.1 (2.5) billion; 13 deaths. Southern Severe Weather and Flooding(May); 5.0-$6.0 (6.5-7.1) billion; 32 deaths. California Flooding(Jan.–March); more than $3.0 (3.6) billion; 27 deaths. 1994Western Fire Season(Summer–Fall); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; death toll undetermined. Texas Flooding(Oct.); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 19 deaths. Tropical Storm Alberto(July); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 32 deaths. Southeast Ice Storm(Feb.); approximately $3.0 (3.7) billion; 9 deaths. 1993California Wildfires(Fall); approximately $1.0 (1.3) billion; 4 deaths. Midwest Flooding(Summer); approximately $21.0 (26.7) billion; 48 deaths. Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); about $1.0 (1.3) billion; at least 16 deaths. “Storm of the Century” Blizzard(March); $3.0-$6.0 (3.8-7.6) billion; approximately 270 deaths. 1992Nor'easter of 1992(Dec.); $1.0-$2.0 (1.3-2.6) billion; 19 deaths. Hurricane Iniki(Sept.); about $1.8 (2.4) billion; 7 deaths. Hurricane Andrew(Aug.); approximately $27.0 (35.6) billion; 61 deaths. 1991Oakland Firestorm(Oct.): approximately $2.5 (3.5) billion; 25 deaths. Hurricane Bob(Aug.); $1.5 (2.1) billion; 18 deaths.

Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters, 1980–2013 (part 2): Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather(June 18-22, 2011); over $1.3 billion in total damages/costs; an estimated 81 tornadoes over central and southern states; wind and hail damage in the Southeast; 3 deaths. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(May 22–27, 2011); estimate of over $9.1 billion in total damage/costs; an estimated 180 tornadoes over central and southern states; 177 reported deaths. Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes(April 25-30, 2011); over $10.2 billion in total damages/costs; an estimated 343 tornadoes over central and southern states; 321 deaths (240 in Alabama). Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 14–16, 2011); Over $2.1 billion in total losses/costs; an estimated 177 tornadoes in several central and southern states; 38 deaths (22 in North Carolina). Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 8–11, 2011); over $1.5 billion in losses/costs; an estimated 59 tornadoes in central and southern states; no deaths reported. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 4–5, 2011); over $2.8 billion in total losses with damage in several central and southern states; an estimated 46 tornadoes reported; 9 deaths. Groundhog Day Blizzard(Jan. 29–Feb. 3, 2011); over $1.8 billion in damages/costs from a large winter storm affecting central, eastern and northeastern states; Chicago was at a standstill; 36 deaths. 2010Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather(May 2010 ); total losses exceeded $3.0 billion in damages/costs; 3 deaths. Mid-South Flooding and Severe Weather(April-May 2010 ); total losses exceeded $2.3 billion in damages/costs; 32 deaths. Northeast Flooding(March 2010 ); over $1.5 billion in damages/costs; 11 deaths. 2009Southwest/Great Plains Drought(entire year 2009); estimate of over $5.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Western Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2009); over $1.0 billion in damages/costs (including annual fire suppression costs); 10 deaths. Midwest, South and Eastern Severe Weather(June 2009); Over $1.1 billion in damages/costs; no deaths reported. South/Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather(April 2009); over $1.2 billion in damages/costs; 6 deaths. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(March 2009); Over $1.0 billion in damages/costs with majority of damage in TX; no deaths reported. Southeast/Ohio Valley Severe Weather(February 2009); over $1.4 billion in damages/costs with majority of damage in OK and OH; 10 deaths. 2008Widespread Drought(entire year 2008); estimate of over $2.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Hurricane Ike(September 2008); estimate of over $27.0 billion in damage/costs; 112 deaths reported. Hurricane Gustav(September 2008); preliminary estimate of at least $5.0 billion in damage/costs; 43 deaths reported. Hurricane Dolly(July 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.2 billion in damage/costs; three deaths reported. US Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2008); preliminary estimate of over $2.0 billion in damage/costs; 16 deaths reported. Midwest Flood(June 2008); preliminary estimate of over $15 billion in damage/costs; 24 deaths reported. Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather/Tornadoes(June 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.1 billion in damage/costs; 18 deaths reported. Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather/Tornadoes(May 2008); preliminary estimate of over $2.4 billion in damage/costs; 13 deaths reported. Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes(February 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 57 deaths reported. 2007Great Plains and Eastern Drought(entire year 2007); preliminary estimate of over $5.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Western Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2007); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; at least 12 deaths. East/South Severe Weather(April 2007); preliminary estimate of over $1.5 billion in damage/costs; nine deaths reported. 2006Wildfires(Entire year 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 28 deaths, including 20 firefighters. Widespread Drought(Spring-Summer 2006); preliminary estimate of over $6.0 billion in damage/costs; some heat-related deaths, but not beyond typical annual averages. Northeast Flooding(June 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; at least 20 deaths reported. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.5 billion in damage/costs; 10 deaths reported. Midwest/Ohio Valley Tornadoes(April 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.1 billion in damage/costs; 27 deaths reported.