It's Flag Day!
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Have a Glorious Flag Day
14th June, 2008
"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.
