Every July 14th, Americans across the country celebrate Flag Day by flying the American flag, commonly referred to as “Old Glory” outside their homes or businesses. Veteran’s groups and community organizations also hold annual events to celebrate Flag Day.
Of course we all know the story, how George Washington asked a 20-something widow named Betsy Ross to sew the very first American flag (the one with thirteen stars arranged in a circle) in the spring of 1776. Congress would adopt the design as the official national flag a year later, and since then, the Stars and Stripes have symbolized the United States around the world.
It would be another hundred years before the first official Flag Day was celebrated in 1877. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson called for a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14, and this was made permanent by Congress in 1949.
The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation to: call on government officials in the USA to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Flag Day; and to urge US residents to observe Flag Day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.
Since our founding as a nation, the red, white, and blue have stood for American freedom, exceptionalism, and rugged individualism, however very few people actually know why those particular colors were utilized. For the members of the original Continental Congress, red represented hardiness and courage, white symbolized purity and innocence, and blue represented vigilance and justice.
Of course the stripes on the flag represented each of the original thirteen colonies that fought back against the British in the name of freedom, independence, and self-governance. Stars have been added to the flag over the years, with our current flag sporting 50 stars, one for every state.
Proper celebration of Flag Day is to simply fly the flag from your front porch, apartment balcony, or window. You can also attend Flag Day parades, festivals, or other community sponsored events. Many people will also hold get togethers at their home, decorating their house with a red, white, and blue theme. The menu for such as event would include such all American favorites as hot dogs, burgers, with more imaginative folks even going so far as to prepare cakes in the image of the flag.
Organizations such as The National Flag Day Foundation are actively involved in coordinating activities centered on the event and keeping the flag’s traditions alive. Following Flag Day is Honor America Days, a 21-day period through to Independence Day (July 4) to honor America. During this period, people hold public gatherings and activities to celebrate and honor the nation.
Although Flag Day is a nationwide event and observance, it is not a national holiday, although some areas of the country do recognize it as such.
So take out Old Glory today and let it your colors fly!
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