Every year on June 14, the United States celebrates the flag and its historical significance.
Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, people may choose to commemorate the day by waving flags outside of homes and businesses.
Here’s what you need to know about Flag Day and how it started.
How did Flag Day start?
On June 14, 1777, the US first adopted the flag design, but there are many claims about the first Flag Day observance.
One of the most renowned was on June 14, 1889, when the director of a free kindergarten for the poor in New York City organized patriotic events to mark the anniversary of the original Flag Day resolution, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The celebration caught on at the State Department of Education, which had the day observed in all public schools.
Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolidge issued Flag Day proclamations in 1916 and 1927, respectively, but it wasn’t until 1949 that Congress approved Flag Day as a national holiday. President Harry Truman later signed it into law.
The legislation calls for the White House to issue the Flag Day proclamation each year.
“Old Glory represents hope, pride and progress,” President Joe Biden said in this year’s resolution. “It is stamped on our exports, hung from booming factories and painted on spaceships traveling high above our skies – a symbol of the American spirit that continues to innovate, build and break boundaries. Stir for justice and equality. Adorn the courtrooms and classrooms. And he presides over free and fair elections at polling places across the country, reinforcing the promise of our democracy.”
click here to read the full proclamation.
What are the symbols of the flag?
The 50 white stars on the flag represent the 50 states in the country, while the 13 red and white stripes reflect the number of original colonies.
The flag’s appearance has changed over time, usually gaining more stars to account for new states. More recently, the flag got its 50th star when Hawaii became part of the US in 1959.
The colors of the flag are also significant. Red symbolizes courage and bravery, white represents purity and innocence, and blue shows vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
click here to read about the federal flag code, including proper display and care.
