Have a Glorious Flag Day

on 15th Feb, 2007

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands- one nation indivisible-with liberty and justice for all."

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, it's designers and makers. The flag was first authorized by Congress June 14, 1777. This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout America. The United States Flag is the third oldest of the National Standards of the world; older than the Union Jack of Britain or the Tricolor of France. Flag Day was first observed in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Continental Congress' adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. In that year, Congress asked that all public buildings fly the flag on June 14. The idea quickly caught on and many people wanted to participate in waving the flag.


In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Flag Day as a national celebration. However, the holiday was not officially recognized until 1949 when President Harry Truman signed the National Flag Day Bill. The United States Flag is unique in the deep and noble significance of its message to the entire world, a message of national independence, of individual liberty, of idealism, of patriotism. The flag was first decreed that there should be a star and a stripe for each state, making thirteen of both; for the states at the time had just been erected from the original thirteen colonies. The colors of the Flag may be thus explained: The red is for valor, zeal and fervency; the white for hope purity, cleanliness of life, and rectitude of conduct; the blue, the color of heaven, for reverence to God, loyalty, sincerity, justice and truth.

Legend has it that Betsy Ross, was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington, made the first U.S. flag. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

The flag should be displayed, from sunrise to sunset, on all days when the weather permits, especially on, New Year's Day, Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Easter Sunday, Patriots Day, April 19, National Day of Prayer, the 1st Thursday of May, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), Flag Day, Independence Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, October 12th Navy Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Election Days and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.