What I sat down to write about today is an upcoming holiday. And any holiday that flys my favorite colors it’s definitely worth writing about!!! It’s almost smack dab in between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It’s the kind of holiday that, for the most part, you can celebrate every day of the week if you really wanted to. It’s the red, white, and blue kind of holiday. I bet you guessed that it’s an American Holiday. I really hope you did, otherwise I’d have to suggest that you may either be forgetting your history a li’l bit!. I’m talking about Flag Day!
American Flags
Flag Day is celebrated every June 14th. This year it just so happens to fall on a Sunday, so no days off from work of school. Truthfully, none of us get a day off when Flag Day falls on a weekday. At the present Flag Day is not an official, federal holiday, but it is nationally observed with a fervor. Before I jump head first in to the flag deep end , I think a little Flag Day history is in order.
There are several instances that stake claim at the first observation of Flag Day, according to the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Chronologically, the first is said to have happened in Hartford, Connecticut during the summer of 1861. A more recognized first observance claim of Flag Day fame happened In 1889. On June 14, 1889 (ah-hem… take note of the date) the principal of a New York City school held a ceremony observing the anniversary of the June 14, 1777 resolution. That resolution by the Second Continental Congress approved the first design of the Stars and Stripes. There are a few more “first” claims. One rather far-fetched claim is by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In 1907 The Elks Grand Lodge designated June 14th as Flag Day. According to their story The Elks prompted President Woodrow Wilson to recognize the Order’s observance of Flag Day. It wasn’t until 1949 when President Harry Truman, a member of the Elks, made the proclamation that June 14th would be a day of national observance for Old Glory. Okay… now some parts of that yarn are true: President Woodrow Wilson did in fact issue a proclamation calling for the observance of Flag Day on June 14, 1916. Another proclamation calling for the observance of Flag Day was issued in 1927 by President Calvin Coolidge. It wasn’t until August, 1949 that Congress made Flag Day permanent. President Harry Truman signed a resolution that “the 14th day of June each year is hereby designated as Flag Day.” Oh, brother! What a load of paperwork that must have been!
There’s another batch of first Flag Day claims, but to make the issue as absolute as possible, it was on August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law. Alrighty then. Now that we’ve sorted out the history of Flag Day, let’s talk about the fervor of Flag Day, and how you can partake with… well… fever and frill!
First off, Flag Day is a day for the Flag of the United States, so you have to know how to treat our beloved symbol. In short, proper display of the U.S. Flag is from sunrise to sunset on all days as weather permits. The U.S. Flag may also be displayed at night if illuminated by a light. For a complete description of flag etiquette – and when I saw etiquette, I mean LAWS – take a gander at this US Congressional report:
http://senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
So, let’s talk Flag Day observation. How are you going to partake? Big flags, little flags, flag pins, flag stickers on your bumper, car flags that mount on your window, patriotic decor all over your house or building exterior… so many ways! Mini flags!!! You can do anything with a mini flag! Mini flags can be displayed on your desk or counter space, or feel free to carry and wave a mini flag like a true fan! Definitely express your enthusiasm for our flag, our freedom, and the ever present feeling of American pride.
It’s now time to go get ready for the warm summer sun that’s coming and we all know that bring on my second favorite thing, hot dogs! Until next time, which will be my all-time favorite holiday July 4th, don’t forget your flag on the 14th for Flag Day!
Lexi
