On July 4, we recall the noble aspirations of our nation.

We don’t always live up to the high standards we espouse, but we are a better nation for placing value on the right things – liberty and justice.

This patriotic illustration was published on postcards near the beginning of World War II.

The American flag in the illustration has 48 stars, which it had since 1912 when New Mexico and Arizona became the 47th and 48th State.

Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959, giving the US flag it’s current configuration of fifty stars.

The postcard was not mailed.