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Every year on June 14th our country celebrates Flag Day, the anniversary of the day the Continental Congress adopted the American Flag in 1777. The members of the Continental Congress adopted a design of thirteen alternating red
and white stripes, with a union of thirteen white stars on a field of blue, representing the original colonies. The original designer or maker of the American flag is unknown, although many school children will swear it
is Betsy Ross.
The idea of the celebration of Flag Day is believed to have been introduced in 1885 by Bernard Cigrand, a schoolteacher from Waubeka, Wisconsin. Flag Day observance grew as Mr. Cigrand promoted the concept and another
teacher from New York City, George Balch, initiated celebrations in 1889. Celebrations spread throughout New York, eventually Philadelphia and Illinois, and soon many cities and states began to observe Flag Day.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for the first national Flag Day.
President Harry Truman signed legislation requesting that National Flag Day to be observed annually. It is only a legal holiday in Pennsylvania, but is observed less formally throughout the country, with ceremonies and educational programs. One program is the annual Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance, sponsored by the National Flag Day Foundation, Inc.
To learn more about the National Flag Day Foundation, Inc. and the 23rd annual Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance, click on the link below:
www.flagday.org
This site also has a picture gallery of flags flying during the proudest as well as saddest moments in our country’s history.
Sources:
Microsoft Encarta Reference Library
National Flag Day Foundation, Inc. website
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