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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250614
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DTSTAMP:20250417T145031Z
CREATED:20250417T145031Z
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UID:814-1749859200-1749945599@mcl342.org
SUMMARY:Flag Day
DESCRIPTION:Flag Day is Saturday\, June 14\, 2025. What is Flag Day all about? Who really designed the first flag\, and what do the red\, white\, and blue colors symbolize? See how much you know about U.S. flag history and meaning\, plus find five fun trivia questions to test your knowledge. \n\nWhat is Flag Day?\nFlag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on June 14\, the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption. \nWhat we know fondly as the “Stars and Stripes” was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official American flag on June 14\, 1777\, during the Revolutionary War. Colonial troops fought under many different flags with various symbols—rattlesnakes\, pine trees\, and eagles—and slogans—”Don’t Tread on Me\,” “Liberty or Death\,” and “Conquer or Die\,” to name a few. \nThe Declaration of Independence made the adoption of an American flag necessary. Previously\, each colony or special interest had its own flag. \nOn that 14th of June\, Congress made the Flag Resolution of 1777\, stating: “The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes\, alternate red and white\, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field …” Official announcement of the new flag was not made until Sept. 3\, 1777. \n”Flag Day” has been celebrated as a patriotic occasion for many decades\, but President Woodrow Wilson made the observance official on May 30\, 1916\, by a presidential proclamation. \nWho Made the First American Flag?\nThe origins of the Stars and Stripes have become part of American folklore. Although many people believe that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first flag\, there is no true proof of this. \nHowever\, records do indicate that Betsy Ross most definitely made ensigns and pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war\, and she certainly inspired the design of the current flag. \nBased on colonial folklore\, it has also been stated that the American flag was first flown in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777. This may also be the stuff of legend. \nHowever\, what we do know is this:  \n\nThe original 1777 flag was designed to represent the 13 original colonies. It had 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes.\nOne of the first flag designs had the stars arranged in a circle\, based on the idea that all colonies were equal.\nIn 1818\, after a few design changes\, the United States Congress decided to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union.\nEach time a state was added to the union\, a star was added. Today\, there are 50 stars\, one for each state in the union\, but the 13 stripes remain.\n\nInterestingly\, the current American flag was designed by a high school student from Lancaster\, Ohio\, named Bob G. Heft! Even though Bob’s history teacher gave him a “B-” for not knowing how many states the Union had\, Bob submitted his design to the White House (unprompted) in anticipation of Hawaii and Alaska joining the Union. To his surprise\, President Eisenhower called him! Today\, it’s Bob Heft’s 1958 design—which shows 50 stars in a field that included five rows of six stars and four rows of five stars—which is now our 50-star American flag (and history teacher changed his grade to an “A”!). \nWhen Is Flag Day?\nFlag Day\, celebrated annually on June 14\, is not an official federal holiday\, but the president of the United States traditionally proclaims its observance each year. On Flag Day\, many towns and cities hold parades and events to celebrate the flag\, and the colors are to be flown at all government buildings. \n\nFlag Day Dates\n\n\nYear\nFlag Day\n\n\n\n\n2025\nSaturday\, June 14\n\n\n2026\nSunday\, June 14\n\n\n2027\nMonday\, June 14\n\n\n2028\nWednesday\, June 14\n\n\n\nHistorical Facts About the U.S. Flag\n\nJanuary 1\, 1776: The first United States flag\, the “Grand Union\,” was displayed by George Washington. It became the unofficial national flag\, preceding the 13-star\, 13-stripe version.\nJune 14\, 1777: The Stars and Stripes were adopted by the Continental Congress as the Flag of the United States.\nJune 14\, 1877: Flag Day was observed nationally for the first time on the 100th anniversary of the Stars and Stripes—and continues today.\nJune 14\, 1937: Pennsylvania became the first state in the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.\nJuly 4\, 1960: The new 50-star flag was flown for the first time—the flag that still flies today.\n\nThe Grand Union Flag\, the first unofficial national flag\, represented on a 1968 postage stamp.\nWhy is the American Flag Red\, White\, and Blue?\nThe Continental Congress left no record as to why it chose these colors. However\, in 1782\, the Congress of the Articles of Confederation chose the colors for the Great Seal of the United States with these meanings: \n\nwhite for purity and innocence\nred for valor and hardiness\nblue for vigilance\, perseverance\, and justice\n\nAccording to the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center\, the colors originated with the British flag\, which is called the Union Jack and was a combination of the Scottish cross of St. Andrew (white on blue) and the English cross of St. George (red on white) at the time. (The modern British flag also incorporates the Irish cross of St. Patrick into its design.) \n \nAmerican Flag Etiquette\nDid you know that there are special rules for taking care of our flag? The U.S. Flag Code is an official set of guidelines (not laws) that dictates how a flag should be flown in order to show it the respect and honor that it deserves. Learn all about American Flag Etiquette here and hoist the flag this Flag Day! \nWhere May the American Flag be Flown 24 Hours a Day?\nThe flag is usually taken indoors at night out of respect\, but there are some places where flying the flag around the clock is permissible. Do you think you can guess them? \n\nThe Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia\nThe White House\nThe U.S. Capitol\nThe Iwo Jima Memorial to U.S. Marines in Arlington\, Virginia\nThe Revolutionary War battleground in Lexington\, Massachusetts\nThe site of George Washington’s winter encampment at Valley Forge\, Pennsylvania\nFort McHenry in Baltimore\, Maryland\nThe Jenny Wade House in Gettysburg\, Pennsylvania (Jenny Wade was the only civilian killed in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War)\nThe USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor\nAll customs points of entry into the United States\nAny US Navy ship that is underway\n\nIn truth\, the flag may be flown at night anywhere that it may be flown during the day\, provided that it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. \n5 Flag Trivia Questions\nQuiz your friends and family with these five flag questions and answers: \n\nIs it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down? Answer: Yes\, but only in an emergency. It means “Help Me! It’s an emergency! Call the police! I am in dire trouble and need immediate help!”\nHow many versions of the American flag have been designed? There have been 27 versions of the American Flag. However\, the current flag—designed by a high school boy—has lasted the longest as no states have been added since 1959.\nCan the flag touch the ground? Despite the myths\, the flag can touch the ground and still be washed and used. However\, if the flag is torn or damaged beyond repair\, the tradition is to burn it with dignity. Most U.S. localities offer this service at no fee.\nHow many U.S. flags made it to the Moon? The U.S. flag has been placed on the Moon by an astronaut during six Apollo missions (11\, 12\, 14\, 15\, 16\, and 17).\nWhy must Old Glory be folded in such a specific way? The U.S. flag is folded into a small triangle made of 13 folds. Each fold has a special meaning and symbolism. For example\, the first fold represents life\, while the third honors the veteran who has departed\, and the fifth is a tribute to our country. See the correct way to fold the American flag.\n\nNext time you gaze upon the symbol of the nation’s freedom\, pause and reflect on the flag’s origins\, symbolism\, and history—and what the American flag means in your life.
URL:https://mcl342.org/event/flag-day/
CATEGORIES:Military Recognition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mcl342.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/old-glory.jpg
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