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The winners of this quiz will receive a 10% discount on the purchase of a
Forensic Genealogy book. We are also offering the same prize to the five
people who turn in the most creative answers, even if they are not correct!
Forensic Genealogy book. We are also offering the same prize to the five
people who turn in the most creative answers, even if they are not correct!
| Answer to Quiz #8 - May 18, 2005 The date written on this picture is probably wrong. Why? |
| Photo courtesy of Linda Williams. Click on thumbnail to see larger image |
| Big Hint: Full Metal Jacket |
| The Answer |
The answer to this quiz can be found by noticing that the man on the right is wearing
the Medal of Honor on his lapel Because of his age, he was probably a veteran of the
Civil War. The last Civil War Medal of Honor winner buried in the state of Colorado
died in November 1925. The picture could not have been taken after this date.
the Medal of Honor on his lapel Because of his age, he was probably a veteran of the
Civil War. The last Civil War Medal of Honor winner buried in the state of Colorado
died in November 1925. The picture could not have been taken after this date.
| Further Explanation |
The Haircut
The writing along the left side of the picture says "May 31, 1926" and "Denver".
Several people misread the date as 1726. Even though this date cannot possibly be
correct, this was not the answer we were looking for.
An approximate date of the picture can be determined by noting the girls in the picture
have their hair in a "bob". This hairstyle was introduced in 1915 when the famous
ballroom dancer Irene Castle cut her hair for convenience, triggering a revolution in
women's hairstyles. The web site http://www.hairarchives.com/private/1920s.htm
explains:
"As the younger generation eagerly embraced this latest fad, women of all ages would
soon find themselves having to face a critical decision – to bob, or not to bob. Many
were fearful of taking the plunge only to discover that long hair would quickly be back
in vogue. In fact, professional hair publications predicted an immediate return to long
hair. However, it was difficult to ignore the continued popularity of the bob.
"Tears and smelling salts accompanied the sacrifice as shorn cascades of crowning
glories tumbled to the floors of barbershops. Men raged over the female invasion of the
barbershop but at that time, the-cutting-of-hair was still a male-dominated occupation.
In some cities, long lines of women were reported standing outside barbershops while
inside, many women patiently sat on floors waiting their turn to be bobbed. In New
York City, reports of up to 2,000 heads per day were being clipped.
"Overseas, it was reported that while King George took no official position to the
controversy of bobbed hair, her majesty, Queen Mary, preferred if ladies with short
hair would in some way conceal that fact at court functions or royal ceremonies. Hair
additions, as depicted in this 1920s advertisement, were commonly used to conceal the
shingled back. Many women actually saved their long locks just so they could use
them to conceal their new haircut!"
Memorial Day Dates
The girls in the photo are obviously associated with a patriotic occasion. This could be
the 4th of July, Veterans Day, or Memorial Day. If the date is partially correct,
Memorial Day would be the correct choice.
According to the web site http://dictionary.reference.com/features/memorial.html,
Memorial Day was originally set aside to honor the Civil War dead from the North by
decorating their graves with flowers and it at first called "Decoration Day." In 1866, the
first commemorations were held in Waterloo, New York, and in Columbus, Mississippi.
The American flag was flown at half-staff and a veterans" parade marched to the village
cemetery, where patriotic speeches were given. The first national Decoration Day was
held on May 30, 1868 by Union Army veterans known as the Grand Army of the
Republic. The May 30 date was close to the date of the final surrender of the
Confederate Army (May 26, 1865). The Southern states started remembering their
soldiers on a Confederate Memorial Day on various dates. After World War I, the
American Legion took over the observance, renaming it Memorial Day, setting it for the
last Monday in May, and dedicating in honor of all those who died in U.S. wars. Some
southern states continue to observe a separate day to honor the Confederate dead.
"Memorial Day is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and by religious services, parades,
and speeches nationwide. Flags, insignia, and flowers are placed on the graves of
veterans in local cemeteries."
Although the date written on the photo is the date Memorial Day was celebrated in
1926, the date could still be incorrect if it is not consistent with other elements of the
photo.
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States armed
services, often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. It recognizes valor and
bravery in action “above and beyond the call of duty.” There have been some 3,400
recipients of the medal, which was established by an act of Congress in 1862.
Because the two men in the photograph are in their seventies or eighties, they are
almost certainly veterans of the Civil War. The man on the left is wearing a Union army
jacket, and the man on the right is wearing two military decorations. The upper one is
the Medal of Honor. It can be identified by the shape of a star hanging point downward
and the striped ribbon from which it is suspended.
The writing along the left side of the picture says "May 31, 1926" and "Denver".
Several people misread the date as 1726. Even though this date cannot possibly be
correct, this was not the answer we were looking for.
An approximate date of the picture can be determined by noting the girls in the picture
have their hair in a "bob". This hairstyle was introduced in 1915 when the famous
ballroom dancer Irene Castle cut her hair for convenience, triggering a revolution in
women's hairstyles. The web site http://www.hairarchives.com/private/1920s.htm
explains:
"As the younger generation eagerly embraced this latest fad, women of all ages would
soon find themselves having to face a critical decision – to bob, or not to bob. Many
were fearful of taking the plunge only to discover that long hair would quickly be back
in vogue. In fact, professional hair publications predicted an immediate return to long
hair. However, it was difficult to ignore the continued popularity of the bob.
"Tears and smelling salts accompanied the sacrifice as shorn cascades of crowning
glories tumbled to the floors of barbershops. Men raged over the female invasion of the
barbershop but at that time, the-cutting-of-hair was still a male-dominated occupation.
In some cities, long lines of women were reported standing outside barbershops while
inside, many women patiently sat on floors waiting their turn to be bobbed. In New
York City, reports of up to 2,000 heads per day were being clipped.
"Overseas, it was reported that while King George took no official position to the
controversy of bobbed hair, her majesty, Queen Mary, preferred if ladies with short
hair would in some way conceal that fact at court functions or royal ceremonies. Hair
additions, as depicted in this 1920s advertisement, were commonly used to conceal the
shingled back. Many women actually saved their long locks just so they could use
them to conceal their new haircut!"
Memorial Day Dates
The girls in the photo are obviously associated with a patriotic occasion. This could be
the 4th of July, Veterans Day, or Memorial Day. If the date is partially correct,
Memorial Day would be the correct choice.
According to the web site http://dictionary.reference.com/features/memorial.html,
Memorial Day was originally set aside to honor the Civil War dead from the North by
decorating their graves with flowers and it at first called "Decoration Day." In 1866, the
first commemorations were held in Waterloo, New York, and in Columbus, Mississippi.
The American flag was flown at half-staff and a veterans" parade marched to the village
cemetery, where patriotic speeches were given. The first national Decoration Day was
held on May 30, 1868 by Union Army veterans known as the Grand Army of the
Republic. The May 30 date was close to the date of the final surrender of the
Confederate Army (May 26, 1865). The Southern states started remembering their
soldiers on a Confederate Memorial Day on various dates. After World War I, the
American Legion took over the observance, renaming it Memorial Day, setting it for the
last Monday in May, and dedicating in honor of all those who died in U.S. wars. Some
southern states continue to observe a separate day to honor the Confederate dead.
"Memorial Day is observed with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, and by religious services, parades,
and speeches nationwide. Flags, insignia, and flowers are placed on the graves of
veterans in local cemeteries."
Although the date written on the photo is the date Memorial Day was celebrated in
1926, the date could still be incorrect if it is not consistent with other elements of the
photo.
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States armed
services, often called the Congressional Medal of Honor. It recognizes valor and
bravery in action “above and beyond the call of duty.” There have been some 3,400
recipients of the medal, which was established by an act of Congress in 1862.
Because the two men in the photograph are in their seventies or eighties, they are
almost certainly veterans of the Civil War. The man on the left is wearing a Union army
jacket, and the man on the right is wearing two military decorations. The upper one is
the Medal of Honor. It can be identified by the shape of a star hanging point downward
and the striped ribbon from which it is suspended.
According to
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/cemeteries/co.html, there
are only 23 winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor buried
in Colorado, including "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Of these, the last two
to die were George J. Shoppe, who died on March 24, 1924 at
the age of 89 and George G. Moore, who died on November 26,
1925 at the age of 81.
http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/cemeteries/co.html, there
are only 23 winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor buried
in Colorado, including "Buffalo Bill" Cody. Of these, the last two
to die were George J. Shoppe, who died on March 24, 1924 at
the age of 89 and George G. Moore, who died on November 26,
1925 at the age of 81.
| The Congressional Medal of Honor |
George J. Shoppe was born September 8, 1834 in Equinunk, PA and enlisted in the
Union Army in Reading, PA. He was a private in Company E, 191st Pennsylvania
Infantry who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 27, 1865 for
capturing the Confederate flag at Five Forks, VA on April 1, 1865. He is buried in Yuma
Cemetery, Yuma, CO.
George Moore was born in Tyler Co., PA on July 22, 1844. He was a private in
Company D of the 11th West Virginia Infantry. He received the Congressional Medal of
Honor on October 6, 1864 for capturing the Confederate flag at Fisher's Hill, VA on
September 22, 1864.
It makes sense that these two veterans would have been an important part of any
Memorial Day or Veteran's Day celebration. Assuming the man on the right is Mr.
Moore and that he was the last Medal of Honor winner living in CO at the time the
picture was taken, it has to date from between March 24, 1924 and November 26,
1925, so that the date on the photo must be wrong.
Union Army in Reading, PA. He was a private in Company E, 191st Pennsylvania
Infantry who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on April 27, 1865 for
capturing the Confederate flag at Five Forks, VA on April 1, 1865. He is buried in Yuma
Cemetery, Yuma, CO.
George Moore was born in Tyler Co., PA on July 22, 1844. He was a private in
Company D of the 11th West Virginia Infantry. He received the Congressional Medal of
Honor on October 6, 1864 for capturing the Confederate flag at Fisher's Hill, VA on
September 22, 1864.
It makes sense that these two veterans would have been an important part of any
Memorial Day or Veteran's Day celebration. Assuming the man on the right is Mr.
Moore and that he was the last Medal of Honor winner living in CO at the time the
picture was taken, it has to date from between March 24, 1924 and November 26,
1925, so that the date on the photo must be wrong.
| An Additional Comment |
Linda Williams, who contributed this
photo, says that her grandmother Bessie
Collins Myers Hennessey (second from
the right in the line of flag bearers)
saved articles from the newspaper. It
appears that in this case, she might have
cut them out at different times and
saved them together one page. Many of
you noticed that the part of the picture
with the two men and two young
women in the foreground seems to be
superimposed on the picture of the flag
bearers. The bottom part of this collage
has the date of November 11, 1925. The
picture of the two old men could have
been part of this bottom section. The
date is within the time range defined by
the deaths of the two Medal of Honor
winners, and was Veteran's Day, 1925.
This would have been a logical
occasion for the photograph.
photo, says that her grandmother Bessie
Collins Myers Hennessey (second from
the right in the line of flag bearers)
saved articles from the newspaper. It
appears that in this case, she might have
cut them out at different times and
saved them together one page. Many of
you noticed that the part of the picture
with the two men and two young
women in the foreground seems to be
superimposed on the picture of the flag
bearers. The bottom part of this collage
has the date of November 11, 1925. The
picture of the two old men could have
been part of this bottom section. The
date is within the time range defined by
the deaths of the two Medal of Honor
winners, and was Veteran's Day, 1925.
This would have been a logical
occasion for the photograph.
| Click on thumbnail to see larger image |
The man to the right in the picture is unidentified. I think he was oldest last Civil War
soldier (undecorated) on either side, or else the last Confederate Civil War soldier alive
in CO., but I have not been able to verify this. If this is the case, he must have died
after November 26, 1925.
This quiz was harder than I expected. No one turned in a correct answer! Please try
again on future quizzes.
soldier (undecorated) on either side, or else the last Confederate Civil War soldier alive
in CO., but I have not been able to verify this. If this is the case, he must have died
after November 26, 1925.
This quiz was harder than I expected. No one turned in a correct answer! Please try
again on future quizzes.
| Click here to return to the contest page. |
If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to
us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture.
You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the
purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book.
us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture.
You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the
purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book.
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| Contest #8 Results |
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