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Flag Day in the United States - Flag Day in the United States commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States of America.

While the actual history of the flag of the United States can be traced back to before our founding fathers were born, it was on June 14th 1777 that the Second Continental Congress adopted the official flag of the United States of America and defined its colors and format in a general sense with the following resolution:

Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.

The flag has gone through many changes since the original resolution of 1777 by the Second Continental Congress. Here's a capsulated breakdown of the timeline of the United States flag from 1776 to the present day.

While we're familiar with the general history of America, familiarity with the history of the flag of the United States and its deeply rooted origins with America's mother country, England, is less so. The history and design of the flag is a reflection of the birth, struggles, growth and expansion of America. And so, because of its association with America's history, the history of America's flag is nothing less than enlightening and revealing.

The American flag trancends any political party or persuasion and remains a symbol of freedom and for what is great about American ideals - it is the preeminent symbol of freedom not only in America but around the world.

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June 14th Official Flag Day - Interestingly, the idea for celebrating our flag with a "Flag Day" started some time ago, as far back as 1861 by a George Morris, and the first actual observance of flag day was held in 1885 by Bernard J. Cigrand, a school teacher in Waubeka, Wisconson.

Various US Presidents have proclaimed Flag Day (president Woodrow Wilson is just one) and also on May 28th, 1945 when president Harry S. Truman (1884–1972, 33rd President of the United States, 1945-1953), through an Executive Proclamation (Proclamation 2654 - Flag Day, 1945) declared June 14th as the official Flag Day throughout the United States.

Although as a nation we commemorate the flag of the United States on Flag Day it is not an official federal holiday for any states with the exception of Pennsylvania where it was made a federal holiday on June 14, 1937. To this very day, Pennsylvania still is the only state where Flag Day is an official federal holiday.

Week of June 14th - The week of June 14th is known as "National Flag Week". Frequently the President of the United States will issue an official proclamation during Flag Week and urge all citizens to display the flag for the entire week. Many civic and historic organizations around the country pay special tribute and observance to the flag during Flag Week. For example, in Philidelphia, the Betsy Ross House (restored from its original) is a focal point for observance of the flag on Flag Day.

 

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