Flag Day!

Summer brings all sorts of celebrations. Some like Flag Day are low key but have a deep meaning. There is Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Labor Day that spotlight our country, workers and military. Among them, I think Flag Day is the least well known.

History of Flag Day

The history goes back further than I had imagined. On the White House website they share its origins go back to Revolutionary Days. On June 14, 1949 the Congress convened to adopt a momentous resolution that galvanized the Colonies under a majestic and commanding insignia and proclaimed, “the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” 

While the flag has changed greatly over the years. the reason for the honor of the red, white and blue has not. Flag Day became an official celebration. It happened when Congress designated on August 3, 1949, June 14 of each year as “Flag Day”.  

I knew about Flag Day, but I did not know that June 9, 1966, Congress declared the week of June 14 as “National Flag Week”.

Will you celebrate?

Some towns have parades and other just fly the flag in public places. I choose to remember it by sharing the story of how it came about. The flag represents so much and with 4th of July on the horizon, it is good to recall. Men fought and died for our right to fly the flag proudly in our yard, our post offices and government buildings.

I don’t think it can really be phrased better than songwriter George Cohan wrote in You’re A Grand Old Flag.

You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.

Happy Flag Day to you all!