I'm Colleen Shogan, the 11th Archivist of the United States, and this is In Pursuit, a podcast

exploring lessons from America's past to write the history of America's future. This season,

we are examining the defining moments faced by America's presidents and first ladies.

Join us as we uncover the stories that shape the nation and the lessons that still matter today.

In Pursuit with Colleen Shogun, premiering April 7th, wherever you get your podcasts.

Brought to you by PRX.

Nick, the other day I was craving a vanilla soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles because I have never not craved a vanilla soft serve with

rainbow sprinkles. And at a certain point, I realized that as an adult, I can just choose

to eat kid-coded desserts and I will be just fine. Just a quick reminder, Hannah,

this is Civics 101. I'm Hannah McCarthy. And I'm Nick Capadice, and I'm here to get you back on

track. Okay, this story serves a purpose, I promise. Because when my ardently anticipated ice cream was

handed out that window, it was not rainbow sprinkled at all. Everybody's on the edge of their seats here,

Hannah. The sprinkles were red, white, and blue.

And I thought, right, of course. It's almost summer. It is almost the 4th of July. It is almost the

250th birthday of America. So red, white, and blue, which are everywhere anyway, was going to be especially everywhere lately.

And then I thought, you know, I really wish that I could ask for regular rainbow sprinkles,

but what would that say about me?

Probably that you're more red than you are red, white, and blue, if you know what I'm saying, Anna.

Probably.

So today, wherefore the American obsession, devotion, adoration, deification of the red, white,

and blue.

Now, Nick, ours is not the only flag with these colors.

...