So, What IS Flag Day?
While the 4th of July is traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, on Flag Day we celebrate the birthday of the Stars and Stripes, which came into being on June 14, 1777. At that time, the Second Continental Congress authorized a new flag to symbolize the new Nation, the United States of America.
The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885, when schoolteacherBJ Cigrand arranged for his students in Fredonia, Wisconsin to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand would continue to enthusiastically advocate this observance.
By the mid 1890's the observance of Flag Day on was a popular event. After three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. But it wasn't until Aug., 1949, that President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.
(Photo above: The American flag pictured in the historic photo Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima' by Joe Rosenthal, now located in the National Museum of the Marine Corps and Heritage Center. Photo taken by Mark Pellegrini.)
The Rules: A Lesson in U.S. Flag Etiquette Enforcing standards of respect, American flag etiquette is a combination of United States Flag Code and custom. When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object, and it should be received by waiting hands and arms. The flag should not be used as a drapery, and should by flown upside down only as a distress signal.
Learn the details of flag etiquette at the U.S. Flag Page.
What is the proper way to display the U.S. flag? According to the U.S. Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, the flag my be flown at the top of a flag pole or staff; hung outside, vertically with the union to the north or east; and indoors vertically or horizontally with the stars at top left. More details.
When should the flag be flown at half-staff? According to the Flag Code, the U.S. flag may be flown at half staff only when directed by the President or the Governor upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. Government and the Governor of a State os territory, as a mark ofrespect to their memory. More details.
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