HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022 0309 Three Flags DayCITY OF RWERDAL\E
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the City of Riverdale lies within territory that was part of the,Louisiana Purchase.
WHEREAS, on April 30, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase became property of the United States of America when it was sold
to President Thomas Jefferson by the French leader, Napoleon Bonaparte.
WHEREAS, the lands sold within the Louisiana Purchase had previously been deeded from France to Spain via the Treaty
of Fontainebleau in 1762.
WHEREAS, the lands, along with six warships, were transferred to the French in 1800 through the Third Treaty of San
Ildefonso, but notification did not reach the entirety of the territory that it had become French territory again.
WHEREAS, on March 8, 1804, Spanish governor of St. Louis, Don Carlos de Hault de Lassus, posted notice to the door of
the city church notifying residents of the impending switch of nationalities.
WHEREAS, on March 9, 1804, army commander Amos Stoddard, the first civil and military commandant of Upper
Louisiana, and explorer Meriwether Lewis, with a band of soldiers, marched to the governor's mansion, signed the transfer
papers, and de Lassus surrendered his post.
WHEREAS, after surrendering the post, the flag of the Spanish Empire was lowered at noon, and was replaced with the
flag of the First Republic of France, which would fly for 24 hours in honor of St. Louis' French roots.
WHEREAS, on March 10, at noon, the French flag was replaced by the flag of the United States of America. The changes
were celebrated with a large party that included many historic figures such as Auguste Chouteau, Meriwether Lewis, and
William Clark.
THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim from
noon on March 9 through noon on March 10, 2022
THREE FLAGS DAY
And encourage all citizens to read more about Three Flags Day as an important part of United States history and celebrate
the many cultures that helped to form our great nation.
Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor
City of Riverdale, Iowa
Sources:
https://fieldhousemuseum.org
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/three-flags-day-history