Flag Day in United States

What is Flag Day?

On the 14th of June, the proud citizens of the United States of America celebrate National Flag Day.  

The day commemorates the history and significance of approving the design of the national flag. Although there are still doubts and debates about who designed the National flag for America, the day honors all the figures who helped to finalize the flag. 

To know more about Flag day in the U.S.A., continue reading.

Flag Day - All Quick Overview

• Date: 14th of June
• Category: Federal 
• Where It’s Marked? The U.S.A.
• Why It’s Marked? It marks the Second Continental Congress's adoption of the first U.S. national flag on the 14th of June, 1777

History of Flag Day

Both the origin of the national flag and national flag day have severe theories. Therefore, let us first explain the early steps of designing the National flag of the United States before telling you about the history of Flag Day.

1. Creation of the Nation’s Symbol

The national flag of a country represents its name everywhere. People recognize a country by its flag. And for the world's greatest nation, the United States, George Washington thought of having the flag. 

In 1776, when he was staying in Philadelphia, he ordered Betsy Ross to design a flag. Many historians have proved that Ross sewed the first few flags in their family’s shop. 

Another theory suggests that Francis Hopkins, the designer of the Great Seal and the coin, was the mastermind behind designing the flag for the first time. 

2. Standardization of the Flag

Before 1912, tailors made flags according to the customer's preference. However, President Taft standardized the flag's size, shape, and overall dimensions. 

In the very first design, the stars were arranged circularly. President Taft designed the stars in rows. The last version has 50 stars on the flag. 

3. Fixing Flag’s Birthday

In 1861, George Morris of Connecticut formally made the first claim to celebrate Flag Day. 

Another assumption is that a Wisconsin schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand, told his students to celebrate National Flag Day on the 14th of June. He even wrote an essay for a Chicago newspaper to encourage people about it. 

The final claim is from the year 1916. President Woodrow Wilson set the official date for the Flag's Birthday. After that, the U.S. Congress passed the day as a State holiday in 1949. 

Since it was not established as a federal holiday, all the schools, banks, and workstations remain open on this day. And the citizens are required to hang the flag appropriately on this day for a whole week. 

How to Celebrate Flag Day?

The goal of celebrating flag day was to honor the country's patriots and remember a citizen's duties and responsibilities. Here we have included some of the celebration ideas that the people of the U.S.A. follow every year on Flag day. 

1. Displaying the Flag

The Federal Regulations mention some Flag Codes. American citizens make or buy the national flag according to the Flag Code and maintain the rules for storing, hanging, or displaying the flag on a flag day. 

It is essential to select an appropriate position for the flag where it can move freely without touching the ground or any object. 

You can arrange a flag hoisting program in your house or office and show respect with a few moments of silence.  

You can also hang your country's flag with our national flag. But on Flag day, the U.S.A.'s flag must hoist on the top. Remember to lower the flag when the sun sets. 

2. Enjoying Festival Activities

People festively celebrate Flag day in almost every locality of the United States. If you are looking for a flag day parade, the biggest one that happens is in Troy, New York. Fifty thousand people attend the program every year. 

Countries that Observe Flag Day

Other than the U.S.A., many other countries worldwide observe Flag day. Here is the list of some countries that celebrate Flag Day: All of these counties have significant history and meaning behind the day.

 Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Georgia, India, Iraq, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, the U.A.E., and Venezuela. 

Interesting Facts about Flag Day

Now it's time to know the interesting facts about the national flag or the flag day.

• Before the final official version of the American flag. 
• The United States Army and the national flag have the 14th of June as their birthday!
• The Red color of the flag stands for hardiness and valor. Justice, vigilance, and perseverance are displayed in Blue and white, representing purity and innocence. 
• The moon has six American flags. Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 crews planted six American flags on the moon. 

Unique Flag Day Celebration Ideas

Hoisting the flag and singing the national anthem is a part of Flag day. And to honor the day from dawn to dusk, you need some unique and memorable ideas. Here are some of them that you can try on your next flag day celebration. 

• Flag day is the perfect day to have a session with your children to enlighten them about the significance of the national flag. During the week, you can tell your kids stories about how we got the flag. 
• Visit a Veteran’s Memorial to honor the Soldiers. They are the true patriots who have sacrificed their lives for the country's sake. 
• Arrange a Flag raising ceremony in your home or office. 
• Visit a History museum to learn about your roots and glorious history. It will help you remember that it wasn't easy for your ancestor to keep peace in the country.
• You can host a dinner at your place and discuss the history behind the flag. This way, your kids will be curious about learning the significance of the flag. 
• Throwing a block party to enjoy the day with your neighbors is an excellent way to catch up and learn about them.
• You can attend the parades arranged in your area and even wear the flag's colors. 

Flag Day Quotes

Hoisting the flag and singing the national anthem is a part of Flag day. And to honor the day from the bottom of your heart and remind everyone around you about the significance of the day, you can share any of the Flag Day quotes below:

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - Ask what you can do for your country.” - John F. Kennedy

“I am not the flag: not at all. I am but its shadow.” - Franklin Knight Lane

“We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing our liberty.” - George Washington

“You are the emblem of the land I love—the home of the free and the brave.” - George M. Cohan

“This flag which we honor and under which we serve is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. - Woodrow Wilson

“A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself.”- Henry Ward Beecher

FAQ

1. What is the meaning of Flag Day in the United States?

In 1777, the United States successfully approved the design of its National Flag. Flag Day or National Flag Day is a day to honor the flag and show love and respect for the country.

2. Is Flag Day an official national holiday?

No, unfortunately, Flag Day is not celebrated as a national holiday. However, people all over the country celebrate this day with appropriate arrangements. 

3. Why isn't Flag Day a Federal Holiday?

President Woodrow Wilson established the day as a federal holiday in 1916. But, when the Uniform Holiday act was formed in 1968, it was not included on the holiday list. 

4. Do people work on Flag Day?

Yes, people work on Flag Day as shops, schools, offices, and banks remain open. It was not a federal holiday.

5. What do the stripes and stars on the flag mean?

The red and white horizontal stripes represent 13 colonies of the United States of America. And the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.