Held annually on June 14, Flag Day is a nationally recognized holiday that’s intended to celebrate the adopted of the United States flag. The American flag has a long, rich history dating as far back as 1777, during which the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the flag. So if you’re looking to show your patriotism, you should mark your calendar for June 14.
While the American flag was officially adopted in 1777, Flag Day wasn’t established until more than a century later. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that June 14 be recognized as Flag Day through an Act of Congress. It’s important to note that Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. With that said, however, the current president has discretion over whether or not to observe it — and most presidents, not surprisingly, do recognize this important and historically significant day.
Flag Day is often celebrated with parades, parties and other social gatherings. One one of the oldest and most prolific Flag Day parades occurs in Fairfield, Washington. This began the parade during the early 20th century, around 1909 or 1910. On June 14, thousands of people visit the downtown district of Fairfield to celebrate Flag Day with an hours-long parade.
Fairfield may hold the title for hosting the country’s oldest Flag Day parade, Quincy, Massachusetts’s parade draws a larger crown. According to Wikipedia, more than 50,000 spectators attend the Flag Day parade in Quincy each year, making it one of the country’s largest parades of this type. As you may have guesses, Flag Day parades and events feature dozens, sometimes hundreds, of American flags being proudly flown.
Whether you live in Fairfield, Quincy, or any other U.S. city, however, there are ways to celebrate Flag Day.
Here are some tips to prepare for Flag Day:
1) Display a full-size American flag in front of your house.
2) Wear a patriotic t-shirt, or alternatively, wear an outfit consisting of red, white and blue colors.
Show off your love for your country by wearing a patriotic t-shirt featuring the flag or other national symbols. If t-shirts aren’t your style, opt for an outfit that incorporates the classic red, white, and blue colors to still show your patriotic pride. No matter how you choose to dress, wearing these colors will help you celebrate your country in style.
3) Check the local news to see if there are any parades or events taking place near June 14.
Make sure to check the local news to stay informed about any parades or events happening around June 14. Keeping up-to-date with the latest information will help you plan your schedule accordingly and ensure you don’t miss out on any exciting festivities. Whether it’s a community parade or a special event, being aware of what’s happening in your area can help you make the most of your time.
4) Encourage friends and family to show their support by also displaying the American flag.
Encourage friends and family to show their support by proudly displaying the American flag in front of their homes. By joining together in this simple act, we can demonstrate our unity and pride in our country. Let’s stand together and show our patriotism for the land of the free and the home of the brave.
5) If you currently have any old, dirty and worn American flags, consider “retiring” them, replacing them with new ones.
Properly disposing of old American flags is essential to show respect for our country and its symbols. By retiring old flags and replacing them with new ones, we demonstrate our commitment to honoring the values and principles they represent. It is a simple yet meaningful way to show our patriotism and respect for the flag.
6) Throw a Flag Day party.
Even if there aren’t any local Flag Day parades or events taking place, you can always throw your own Flag Day party. Invite your friends and family over for a patriotic celebration complete with red, white, and blue decorations. Serve classic American dishes like hot dogs, burgers, and apple pie to really get into the spirit of the holiday. Don’t forget to display the American flag proudly and have fun celebrating our nation’s history!
7) Brush up on your history of the American flag.
The American flag has a rich and storied history that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Understanding the evolution of the flag can provide valuable insight into the values and principles that have shaped the United States. Brushing up on your knowledge of the American flag can deepen your appreciation for this iconic symbol of freedom and democracy.
Whether you’re familiar with National Flag Day or not, you should consider participating in this meaningful holiday by displaying the American flag in front of your home or business. To learn more about National Flag Day and how it began, keep reading.
Origins of National Flag Day
National Flag Day began in 1916 following a proclamation by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. It’s designed to celebrate and commemorate the country’s adoption of its first official flag, which occurred on June 14, 1777. During his proclamation, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson designated June 14 as the day on which the American flag’s adoption would be celebrated.
While U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued the proclamation for National Flag Day in 1916, it wasn’t recognized as a state holiday until many years later. In 1937, Pennsylvania officially recognized National Flag Day as a state holiday. Even today, National Flag Day isn’t considered a federal holiday. It is, however, recognized as an official state holiday in many places, including Pennsylvania.
How to Celebrate National Flag Day
You can celebrate National Flag Day by proudly displaying the American flag in front of your home or business. After all, the fundamental purpose of National Flag Day is to commemorate the country’s adoption of its first official flag. If you have an American flag, display it atop a flagpole in front of your home or business. Of course, you should only display it from sunrise to sunset unless it’s illuminated. Without any form of lighting, you’ll need to take down your American flag after sunset on National Flag Day.
Many cities and municipalities also host local events on National Flag Day as well. You can check your local newspapers to see if there are any events occurring in your area. Parades, for example, are common on National Flag Day. Troy, New York is known for hosting massively sized parades on National Flag Day. In 2017, the city’s annual National Flag Day parade attracted over 50,000 attendees. Whether you live in New York or elsewhere, though, there are probably parades or other events being held in your area. You just need to find them.
In Conclusion
The United States adopted its first official flag on June 14, 1777. To celebrate this adoption, June 14 is recognized as National Flag Day.
