A few years into the war, Washington again changed back to the original black cockade. During all of this cockade swirling, many British soldiers sneered at the American "rabble" of soldiers with their makeshift uniforms and insignia. When the British created mocking lyrics to sing about the "Yankee" soldiers, it was only natural that they should refer to the makeshift cockades as well.

A slang term of the time for military cockades and insignia was "macaroni." So when the British sang about Yankee Doodle calling the feather in his hat "macaroni," they were labeling it Do-It-Yourself insignia, not pasta!

And yes, cockades were occasionally adorned with - or even made completely from - feathers! In fact, I found one newspaper quote that said that after the war while he was president, George Washington wore his black cockade fringed "an inch deep with feathers."

Thus, an emblem that was mocked by the British became a symbol that even our first American president was unashamed to wear.

As we celebrate our nation's freedom let's not forget those who made it possible.

Men like George Washington struggled for freedom against a well-equipped foe with a rag-tag army full of makeshift uniforms and weapons.

Men like Francis Scott Key not only risked their lives but also eloquently wrote the story of our freedom.

And men like Yankee Doodle - the everyday soldier - cheerfully put their lives on the line as they stuck a feather in their hats and called it macaroni!

American patriots in 1776 boldly pledged their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" to bring freedom to a small group of colonies in 1776. Let us continue and preserve the work they so courageously started!

Thanks for reading... see you next week!

Regards,
~Heather Sheen
Owner, Creative Cockades