Tomorrow is Flag Day, when we display our national emblem and are inspired by all the reasons we can be glad to live under its old glory. It can also be a good moment to celebrate some of the things Newburgh, New York means in the timeline of America. The world may not realize our history nor have its eyes on Newburgh, but here are a few reasons that it should.

The Republic was born here under the careful guidance of George Washington who guided the final peace negotiations, after a long and bloody revolution, from his desk here on Liberty Street. The Constitution began here as Alexander Hamilton sat at his desk out on Bannerman’s Island (then called Presque Isle) and wrote the early Federalist Papers, the outline for our national constitution. The Purple Heart was designed, sewn and first awarded here in 1782 – the earliest military honor created for enlisted soldiers (versus officers). Early photography took root as an art form here in a little shop manufacturing what would later come to be called cameras in a location along the Quassaick Creek known then as Daguerreville for the Daggeurrean “instruments” a creative team of craftsmen made there. Distinct American architecture was born here when Andrew Downing and his talented team drew plans for graceful cottages with garden amenities that would allow every class of citizen a comforting place to come home to. He also advocated for the establishment of public parks (most greenspaces had been exclusive and even gated) and his open parks movement gave birth to New York City’s Central Park and more.

Artists thrived in our community and were inspired by our landscapes and the magical light that envelopes the Hudson Highlands. Civil rights set down strong roots in Newburgh where 19th century suffrage and abolition rallies were frequently held and national leaders came to speak to receptive and activist audiences. Sports was embraced with passion and Newburgh teams could rarely be beaten. We raised national champion skaters, rowers and ball-players.

Newburgh is well-known for the design and construction of our central electrical generating station by Thomas Edison but few recall that Newburgh’s William Wright transformed the steam industry with his inventions allowing steam powered engines to be efficient and viable for hundreds of new uses. The Smithsonian calls William Wright one of the greatest geniuses of the 19th century. From rooms over a shop on Water Street, Albert Myer grew up to be another nationally-recognized genius. He established the semaphore system of flag communication that helped save troops in the Civil War and commercial shipping on the Great Lakes. Because of him, we have a U.S. Signal Corps. General Myer was also the founder of the National Weather Service as he designed ways to track weather patterns and fronts with isobar mapping and innovative measuring instruments still used today.

Newburgh can brag of the times that we were absolutely the biggest and the best at what we did. Sweet-Orr Inc. of Newburgh was the world’s biggest manufacturer of work clothes, especially overalls and work jackets in the industrial age. Coldwell Lawn Mower was the world’s largest producer of lawnmowers based on inventions by Newburgh designers. Coldwell mowers were shipped to markets in every continent.

Perhaps we should all purchase a City of Newburgh flag to display each year along with the Stars and Stripes.