The Stars and Stripes seem to take on a special brilliance on Flag Day, which Americans celebrate each year on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.

Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. Some communities, schools and veterans’ organizations hold parades, essay contests, ceremonies and picnics. Presidents have also issued proclamations for National Flag Week.

Flag Day is observed on the local level and while it doesn’t get the same attention at military bases that some other military-related holidays do, it’s an important part nevertheless of a long tradition of honor the flag, its’ customs, and courtesies.

The VA official site reports the first military conflict to include use of the newly created American Flag was in the Battle of the Brandywine, circa September 11, 1777. The United States Flag was first flown over a captured territory in 1778 in the Bahama Islands after the American military captured a fort operated by the British, according to militarybenefits.info.

William T. Kerr, The Father of Flag Day

William T. Kerr gets the credit for founding what we now know as Flag Day, having founded the American Flag Day Association as a youngster attending school in Pennsylvania. But it wasn’t until the 1900s when it would begin to get its due from the federal government.

The First Presidential Proclamations

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that requested an official observance of Flag Day on June 14. His actions were viewed as a recognition of the anniversary of the original creation of the flag in 1777.

President Calvin Coolidge did something similar in 1927, but the Day would have to wait as long as 1949 before Congress approved the holiday and it was signed into law by President Harry Truman.

Since then, June 14 is the designated official Day for the United States Flag.

Flag Week is celebrated the week of June 14th, every year.

 

Image Sources

  • Flag: Pixaby