The Signifi cance
of Flag Day
E
ach year on June 14, Americans celebrate National
Flag Day to commemorate the inception of our
fl ag. This day reminds Americans that our fl ag is more
than just a banner but speaks for America’s rich history
and development as a free country.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed
the Flag Resolution which stated: “Resolved, that the
fl ag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and
white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue
fi eld, representing a new constellation.”
While today’s fl ags still alternate red and white, the
number of stars has increased as new states came into
the union. The current version featuring 50 stars was
introduced in 1960, when the Admission Act offi cial-
ly recognized Hawaii as the 50th state of the United
States.
Flag Day History
The National Flag Day Foundation credits Bernard J.
Cigrand for the fi rst public celebration of Flag Day.
In 1885, Cigrand displayed a 38-star fl ag on his desk
at the school in which he taught. He then assigned his
students to write essays about the fl ag and in its impor-
tance.
It wasn’t
until 1916
that Presi-
dent Wilson
issued a
proclamation
stating that a
nation-wide
observance
was in order.
Many states
and commu-
nities held
Flag Day
celebrations
after Wil-
son’s proclamation. It wasn’t until 1949 that President
Truman signed an act of Congress declaring the 14th of
every June as National Flag Day.
How to Celebrate
There are many ways to show your respect to the
American fl ag on National Flag Day. Properly display-
ing the fl ag outside your home or business is a great
way to celebrate Flag Day. Look around for local Flag
Day ceremonies. This is a good chance to celebrate an
American tradition and have the chance to donate to a
great cause. Have a community barbecue with neigh-
bors to honor Old Glory. You also might be able to fi nd
a fl ag burning ceremony. It can be a humbling expe-
rience to watch an American symbol being properly
retired.
Showing the
Flag Respect
It is common to see American fl ags fl ying high during
summertime. Recreational areas such as parks, banquets
and festivals typically feature several fl agpoles throughout
the property.
L
earning how fl ags are cared for and
properly displayed can give you a new
perspective on the respect the American
fl ag deserves.
The Flag Code specifi es the traditional
ways in which we give respect to the fl ag.
Here are a few of the specifi c instructions
on how the fl ag is to not be used, as re-
ported by usfl ag.org.
Learning how
fl ags are cared
for and properly
displayed can
give you a new
perspective on the
respect the
American fl ag
deserves.
• The fl ag should never be dipped to any
person. It is only allowed to be fl own up-
side down as a signal of distress.
• Never use the fl ag for any advertising purposes. It
should not be embroidered, printed on or otherwise im-
pressed on articles such as cushions, boxes or anything
intended to be thrown away after use.
• No part of the fl ag should ever be used as part of a
costume or athletic uniform. Military personnel, fi re-
man, police offi cers or members of patriotic organiza-
tions may use a fl ag patch.
• The fl ag should never have something attached to it,
such as a letter, word, number, fi gure or drawing of any
kind.
• The fl ag should never be used as a receptacle for re-
ceiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
• When lowering the fl ag, it should never contact the
ground and should be received by waiting hands and
arms.
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