People across the United States celebrate Flag Day on June 14 each year to honor the American flag and to observe the flag’s adoption.
The flag of the United States represents freedom and has been an enduring symbol of the country’s principles.
Flag Day is a time for Americans to evoke their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation’s unity.
The day is honored by people throughout the U.S. who display the American flag at homes, businesses and public buildings.
Flag Day is also celebrated with flag-raising ceremonies, Flag Day services, musical salutes and street parades.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes – one for each state at the time.
This was called the Flag Resolution of 1777.
On the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777, the very first celebration of the U.S. Flag’s birthday was held, back in 1877.
President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of the event on June 14, 1916.
But Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day.
Today, the President is requested to annually issue a proclamation to call on government officials in the U.S. to display the flag of the United States on all government buildings on Flag Day, and to urge U.S. residents to observe Flag Day as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777.
Flag Day is not a federal holiday, although there have been calls to make it one.
