Did you know that the American flag was adopted on June 14, 1777? And that June 14 is officially known as Flag Day? If you didn’t, I would have to say, sadly, I am not surprised. But I hope you will take the time to educate your family and friends about it today, if this info is a first for you. If you do, I think you’ll find that you will have some fun while learning.
The city of Hartford, Connecticut supposedly hosted the first known flag day celebration in 1861. They had a program with a patriotic order, praying for the success of the Federal Troops and the preservation of the Union.
But the observance apparently did not become a tradition.
Flag Day really got it’s start in a school house in Wisconsin.
Most Americans are aware that July 4 is our country’s birthday. But for years our precious flag didn’t have it’s very own day. That is, not until one determined soul sought to remedy that situation. Back in 1885! BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, led the way.
Mr. Cigrand put together plans for the students in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to have a celebration on June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes). It would be called ‘Flag Birthday’.
In magazines, newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as ‘Flag Birthday’, or ‘Flag Day’. His passion went on to inspire three decades of state and local celebrations.
So, who made Flag Day official? Many today aren’t aware of the Flag Resolution of 1777 like Cigrand was. But one man years later remembered. He was President Woodrow Wilson. And on May 30th, 1916, the anniversary of that 1777 Resolution, he officially established the Proclamation for a day of Flag remembrance.
While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it wasn’t until another 30 years later, on August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
With that, you still have time. There’s got to be a flag in your house, apartment, or dorm room somewhere. So go and find it. Dig it out. Put it in the window or display it proudly outside. But please, try to follow flag etiquette. If you don’t mind. The flag will appreciate it. And so will I.
I went and found some links for you to help you out with that:
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
http://www.lifescript.com/Life/Timeout/At-home/The_Flag_Code_Proper_Flag_Etiquette.aspx?trans=1&du=1&gclid=CKCay_C-h5sCFQadnAodGzolpw&ef_id=1350:3:c_29945ada48f23ef1a4c8196a2af96ba9_2540320295:7hYbcko-KR4AAAo7M7sAAAAN:20090613144920
S.
