On brink of Civil War, Louisville raised big flag and big crowd to honor George Washington

By: Berry Craig

Outlets: Kentucky Lantern

Published: February 16, 2026

Words: 800

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

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America was a house divided over slavery 165 Februarys ago on George Washington’s birthday.

On that day, Feb. 22, 1861, in Louisville, two of the city’s most famous newspaper editors climbed on the roof of the old Jefferson County courthouse and, in honor of the Union and its first president, unfurled what might have been the largest U.S. flag that ever flew over the city.

As 50,000 spectators cheered wildly below, the very survival …

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