National Flag Day

America has many symbols from the bald eagle as our National bird to the American Flag. We have a celebration for our Independence every July 4th. The United States also has a day celebrating our flag. It is June 14th and is called Flag Day.

What is Flag Day?

The origins of Flag day started with the adoption of the United States flag (commonly called the Stars and Stripes) in the year 1777. But it wasn’t until 1885 (108 years later) that the Flag’s birthday was celebrated.

It wasn’t until fifty years later that it was officially declared in 1946 by President Truman. June 14 has been recognized as National Flag Day.

A Brief History on the American Flag

Perhaps a most famous reference to the early United States Flag was by Francis Scott Key in his poem that eventually became the Star Spangled Banner, the United States Official National Anthem. But it is uncertain who actually designed the first United States Flag. Many historians believe a congressman by the name of Francis Hopkinson designed the flag. It is widely accepted as fact that Betsy Ross made the first flag.

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress declared the United States Flag should have thirteen stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue background. The stripes of course were alternating between red and white.

In 1794 and 1795, fifteen stripes and fifteen stars made up the United States flag. But in 1818, an act of Congress switched back the number of stripes to thirteen and made it so that each time a state was added to the Union, a star would be added.

In 1912, the dimensions were officially declared of the United States flag by executive order of President Taft. But two more orders, both in 1959, by President Eisenhower, changed the dimensions slightly. It stands that way today, nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

Basic Flag Care

Care of your United States Flag is important. You should never let it get dirty. If it does, you should clean it with a mild soap with no harsh abrasives.

If your flag is torn or damaged in anyway, don’t just throw it away. Boy and Girl Scout Troops or your local veteran’s department sometimes have ceremonies to burn flags. It is the only time it is acceptable to burn the United States Flag and it should be done ceremoniously.

Fly Your Own Flag

Flying the United States Flag is a privilege. But there is a certain etiquette involved in flying the United States Flag. Here are a few guidelines when flying the flag.

• Do not fly the flag in extreme high winds. This may damage the flag.
• Do not fly the flag in extreme weather. This also may damage the flag and is improper. Some flags are water proof and this is okay to fly the flag if you have a weather proof flag.
• The flag should never touch the ground.
• If the flag is flown with other flags, then it should be the most prominent. It should be flown in the center of other flags being slightly higher up than the others.
• The flag should not be flown at night and should be lowered and stored at night unless properly lighted.
• When the flag is flown at half staff, it should be ceremoniously pulled to the peak for a moment, then lowered to half staff. When it is put away for the night, it should again be raised to the peak for a moment and then lowered.
• When you place a flag in your window, the blue union should be in the upper left (as observed by someone viewing it from the street).

National Flag Day is a wonderful holiday to share with your family. Have fun with this day and remember to fly the flag with honor and dignity.