history of flag day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the United States flag, which happened on June 14, 1777. On that day, the Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing the design of the American flag, stating, "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

However, Flag Day didn't become an official national observance until much later. The celebration's origins are often attributed to Bernard J. Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher, who in 1885, placed a small flag in an inkwell and had his students write essays on what the flag meant to them. He continued to advocate for the observance of Flag Day on June 14th throughout his life.

Over time, various individuals and organizations campaigned for the recognition of Flag Day, and it gained momentum. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 officially establishing June 14th as Flag Day. Then, in 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Flag Day is a day for Americans to reflect on the importance of the flag as a symbol of freedom, unity, and national pride. It's celebrated with ceremonies, parades, and events that honor the flag's history and significance in the country's development. Many communities also hold flag-retiring ceremonies, where worn-out flags are respectfully disposed of in a dignified manner, usually by burning, in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.