Flag Day

National Flag Day

June 14^th is a day which celebrates the American Flag, something that symbolizes the independence and unity of our nation.  Many brave people have died protecting our flag, so this day is meant to honor it.  The American Flag should always be respected in the highest of regards.

History

It’s believed to have first originated in the late 1880’s by Bernard J. CiGrand. Bernard was born on October 1^st, 1866 in Waubeka, Wisconsin. At a young age Bernard was interested in American History and became a devout and loyal patriot to America.

• June 1886: “Bernard made his first public proposal for the annual observance of the birth of the flag which he wrote in an article called “The Fourteenth of June” in the Chicago Argus newspaper.” (Janik)

• June 1888: Bernard approached a Chicago organization called the “Sons of America”. He proposed to them the good that would come from having a flag holiday in America. From there, the organization published a magazine called the “American Standard” in which Bernard was appointed the editor-in-chief. With this position, Bernard was able to get the publics attention with the implementation of Flag Day into society.

• 1889-1915: Governors, mayors, and even the Presidents of the United States agreed that Flag Day should be observed in all states on June 14^th.

• 1916: President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing Flag Day as an annual national event.

• 1932: Bernard J. CiGrand passed away due to a heart attack.

• 1949: “President Harry S. Truman signed the Act of Congress and June 14^th was properly designated National Flag Day.” (Streufert)

The proper way to display the American Flag

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field, or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always displayed at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags are placed below it.
• Never let your flag touch the ground.
• Fold your flag when storing.
• When your flag is old, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Some Fun Facts

• Vexillology is the study of flags
• Betsy Ross was a seamstress for George Washington, and in June 1776, he approached her to create the first American Flag.
• Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics of our national anthem, while watching British rockets fly around our flag, unharmed by the event.

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html To see demonstrations to properly display flag, folding the flag, and the American Flag Wall of Shame http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/wallofshame.htm

information from

http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/flagday.htm also contains fun activities for children~

Works Cited

Janik, John. "Bernard J. CiGrand." The National Flag Day Foundation. National Flag Day Foundation, n.d. Web. 2 Jun 2010. <http://www.nationalflagday.com/default.asp>.

Streufert, Duane. "The History of Flag Day." The Flag of the United States of America. Duane Streufert, 10 February 2005. Web. 2 Jun 2010. <http://www.usflag.org/history/flagday.html>.