NewsNationalThe Reason We Celebrate Flag Day

The Reason We Celebrate Flag Day

-

- Visit our Sponsor -spot_img

With summer just around the corner (literally next week), most of us look forward to barbeques and celebrations like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. But people often forget another American observance—Flag Day.

For fun, I did a little digging to uncover the history behind the holiday (although not an official federal holiday equaling a day off work for many Americans).

What is Flag Day?

Celebrated each year on June 14, Flag Day is the celebration and recognition of the stars and stripes.

Flag Day falls within National Flag Week when Americans are encouraged to reflect upon the values of our Republic and the valor of the men and women in uniform who have defended it. The flag of the United States is an emblem representing freedom, hope, and courage of our country’s ideals since its early days.

History

When the Revolutionary War, also known as the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting under one flag. Instead, most regiments engaged in the war for independence from the British fought under their own flags. The Second Continental Congress met in June of 1775 to create the Continental Army with the hopes of a unified colonial fighting force with a more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of the first “American flag,” with a design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each state.

The American flag, also nicknamed as “Old Glory,” “Star-Spangled Banner,” and “Stars and Stripes” consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars. Each of the 50 stars represents one of the 50 states in the United States and the 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies that became the first states in the Union.

Today we find the official American flag displayed everywhere.

Creators of the Holiday

Bernard Cigrand, a small-town Wisconsin teacher, originated the idea for an annual flag day in 1885, arranging for students to observe June 14 as ‘Flag Birthday’ or ‘Flag Day.’ Cigrand also wrote an article titled “The Fourteenth of June” in the old Chicago Argus newspaper.

In 1889, New York City’s George Balch, had his Kindergarten class celebrate Flag Day on June 14th, an idea that proved popular enough to be adopted by the State Education Board of New York for the whole state.

However, it wasn’t until President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of the event on June 14, 1916. Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.

Although we may not get a day off work, we celebrate through songs, parades and by displaying our flags. But perhaps most importantly, may we celebrate the purpose and message behind Old Glory: unity. After all, these are the United States of America.

 

Beckie Lindsey
Beckie Lindseyhttp://www.beckielindsey16.com
Beckie is the Editor of Southern California Christian Voice. She is a wife and a mother of three grown children and two adorable cats. She is an award-winning poet, published freelance writer of magazine, website and newspaper articles as well as devotions and studies. Her desire is to see others not only know the truths of the Word of God, but to also experience them personally and practically in everyday life. Learn more about Beckie on her blog: beckielindsey16.com
West Palm Beach
broken clouds
80.4 ° F
82 °
78.1 °
90 %
5.1mph
75 %
Wed
82 °
Thu
83 °
Fri
81 °
Sat
82 °
Sun
82 °
spot_img

Palm Beach

Hoffman Adding Buoyancy to Seafarers at the Port of Palm Beach

When one thinks of the sea, words such as power and awe, intense and majestic, and even serene come...

Brad Finch Now Leading SoB at First Pres North Palm Beach

Brad Finch of North Palm Beach, who hails from Taupo, New Zealand, has recently (Jan, 2023) taken the helm...

The King’s Academy Celebrates Grand Opening of the Frank DiMino Early Childhood Center

The King’s Academy celebrated its newest on-campus addition, the Frank DiMino Early Childhood Center, on August 5th with a...

Holy Water Hits Top Charts in Christian Music

In spite of the controversy over the subject of "Holy Water" by We the Kingdom, the song is reaching...

Something to Stand for in Theaters June 27

Trinity Broadcasting Network, Fathom, Impact Productions and mikeroweWORKS announce the release of Something to Stand For with Mike Rowe,...

Palm Beach

Providing hope for Suffering Children in the Name of Jesus

Andrea Dobbins is an avid runner and triathlete, a...

Local Griefshare Groups Provide Life Changing Support in Time of Need

All over the globe, Griefshare is providing support in...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you