Flag Day: The History and Significance of This Patriotic Occasion

Date: Friday, June 14, 2024

What: Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag's design and honors the history and symbolism associated with it.

Why it's important: Many Americans are unfamiliar with Flag Day, yet it holds significant historical value and has been celebrated for over a century, tracing back to the early days of the nation's founding.

The Origin of Flag Day:

• Not a Federal Holiday: While Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it has been observed since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as a national day of observance.

• Historical Adoption: The Second Continental Congress adopted an earlier version of the current flag design on June 14, 1777.

• Three Claims to the First Flag Day:

  • Hartford, Connecticut: Possible first celebration in 1861, with schools using Flag Day programs to Americanize immigrant children.

  • New York City: In 1889, the principal of a free kindergarten held ceremonies, and the State Department of Education later adopted the initiative for public schools.

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: In 1892, the Society of Colonial Dames passed a resolution to display the flag at public buildings, led by Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a direct descendant of Benjamin Franklin.

Flag Etiquette and Traditions:

• Displaying the Colors: The colors red, white, and blue held no official meaning in 1777, but when chosen for the Great Seal in 1782, they were attributed with specific symbolism.

• U.S. Flag Code: Congress created the code in 1942 to ensure dignity in the flag's display and care. Guidelines include never letting the flag touch the ground and treating it as a distress signal when the stars are down.

• Flying the Flag at Half-Staff: On specific holidays, such as Memorial Day and Patriot Day, the flag is flown at half-staff. This tradition is also followed after the deaths of government officials, with varying time periods dictated by the official's position.

• Folding the Flag: A triangular method is traditionally used to fold the American flag, though the origins of this practice are unknown.

Sources:

• U.S. General Services Administration: https://www.gsa.gov/blog/2023/06/14/flag-day-the-symbolism-of-flags
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagday.pdf
• U.S. Flag Etiquette: https://www.usa.gov/flag
• U.S. Flag Code: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title4/chapter1&edition=prelim
• American Legion on Flag Folding: https://www.legion.org/flag/folding
• Half-Staff Guidelines by Veteran Affairs: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf