National Flag Day
National Flag Day:
Celebrated on June 14th every year. The day is observed to show gratitude for the adoption of the United State’s Flag.
Year | Date | Day | Where |
2023 | 14th June | Wednesday | United States |
2023 | 14th June | Friday | United States |
2025 | 14th June | Saturday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#NationalFlagDay
#FlagDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on June 14th:
National Pop Goes the Weasel Day
National Strawberry Shortcake Day
Why National Flag Day?
The National Flag day is observed to show gratitude for the adoption of the United State’s Flag. Every Citizen of the United States considers the Flag as an honor and privilege. By honoring the flag, we stand for our equality, hope and for the rich heritage, prosperity of our Country. The Flag is the symbol of our patriotism.
“Standing as I do, with my hand upon this staff, and under the folds of the American flag, I ask you to stand by me so long as I stand by it”, says our Former honorable president Abraham Lincoln.
Thus this day is observed to symbolize our patriotism through our Flag. Not only that, The Flag was also waved for a number of revolutions. This day is also to pay respect to the revolutionists.
How we can Celebrate or Observe National Flag Day:
Celebrating this day is the honorable moment for all of us. This day is also the Army’s Day. Mark your presence in Flag Day Ceremonies. Let us observe this day by exploring more about our Flag. Use this hashtag #FlagDay to share any unknown facts. This day is also meant for the Patriots and federal army, who strive hard to make our country safe. Show your gratitude to them by whatever could, whatever you are talented in. Just sing a song if you are good at singing and post it. Narrate a poem on behalf of this day and post. Donate to the organization which helps the retired Army official whoever in need of money.
Interesting Facts About Flag Day:
- The American Flag has three nicknames that are Old Glory, Stars and Stripes, and the Star-Spangled Banner. The “Old Glory” is the original flag that is at present exhibited at the National Museum of American History as a collection of Smithsonian Institution. The “Star-Spangled Banner” is the anthem of our Country. The nickname “Stars and Stripes” constitutes the 50 stars and 13 stripes present in the American Flag.
- The American consisted of 50 stars that represent the 50 States and the 13 stripes of alternate red and white colors represent the 13 British colonies that are declared independence in the year 1776. The 13 British colonies after independence united together to form the United States of America.
- The 13 colonies are Province of New Hampshire, Province of Massachusetts Bay, Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut Colony, province of New York, Province of New Jersy, Province of Pennsylvania, Delaware Colony, Province of Maryland, Colony and Dominion of Virginia, Province of Carolina which was subdivided into two colonies namely province of North Carolina and Province of South Carolina and proclaimed as crown colonies in the year 1729, and province of Georgia.
The American flag is considered to be the symbol of Freedom, courage, liberation and American History.
ONE FLAG, ONE LAND,
ONE HEART, ONE HAND,
ONE NATION EVERMORE
_Oliver Wendell Holmes
History of Flag Day:
In accordance with the book, Kansas: a cyclopedia of State History, The National Flag Day was reported to be initiated by George morris, in the year 1861. A campaign was conducted to pray for the success of the United States Army, however, it was not observed as an annual event.
Later, in the year 1885, the National Flag day observance was held at the stony hill School, Wisconsin being organized by Bernard J. Cigrand. Cigrand had given more than 2000 speeches on Flag and Patriotism and wrote several articles related to Patriotism. To commemorate his achievements, he was appointed as chief editor of American Standard, a magazine founded to promote America and its heritage emblems. He was generally noted as “Father of the Flag Day” since he is the one who was solely responsible for the Flag Day observances. In addition, he served as a president of American Flag Day Association.
In the Year 1893, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie tried to pass a resolution to display the American Flag on all the Public Buildings of the Philadelphia. Elizabeth is reported to be a descendant of Benjamin Franklin, the former American’s president.
The National Flag day was officially declared on June 14 by the then president Woodrow Wilson in the year 1916. In 1777, on the same day, the flag of the United States was adopted by the Congress after the formal resolution in the Assembly. To honor that moment, the day had been recognized as National Flag Day. it was not an official holiday and however, it was proclaimed as a state holiday by Pennsylvania in the year 1937. Later, it was declared as an official federal holiday in some of the states like New York, Washington, etc.
According to Woodrow Wilson,
“The Flag is the Embodiment, Not of Sentiment, But of History”.
In the year 1949, President Harry Truman declared this day as an official holiday after signing a law and passing it in the Assembly. He said,” America was not built on Fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable Determination to do the job at hand”.
A public procession was held on this day annually by various states to commemorate the adoption of Flag. The oldest such parade is reported to be held at Washington in the year 1910. From then on, the parade was held on an annual basis and the procession that held in the year 2010 at Washington marks the 100th year celebration. Thus, the Washington parade is deemed to be the oldest continuing parade. The longest running parade is claimed to be held in Quincy, Massachusetts every year and the largest parade is celebrated annually at New York with almost 50000 audiences.