June 14th is Flag Day.
What is Flag Day and Why Is It Important?
In 1885. a schoolteacher named Cigrand from Fredonia, Wi arranged for his students to observe June 14 as the United States’ “Flag Birthday”. June 14th was the 108th anniversary of the official of The Stars and Stripes.
Eventually the State Board of Education of New York adopted Flag Day and in 1849 The Governor of New York directed that on June 14 the Flag be displayed on all public buildings.
The first general public school children’s celebration of Flag Day in Chicago was held in Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks, with more than 300,000 children participating.
Flag Day – the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 – was officially established on May 30th, 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. Later on August 3rd, 1949, President Harry Truman signed into Congress and act designating each June 14th to be National Flag Day.
Flag Day is a very special and patriotic day for Americans. It is a day for us to show our respect and reverence for the Red White and Blue. It is a day to learn about our flags history, participate in patriotic events and recognize and reaffirm our unity as a proud nation, indivisible with a glorious history and a prosperous future.
How to Properly Display Our Flag:
There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying 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. It’s called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
- 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 flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
- The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
- Never let your flag touch the ground, never…period.
- Fold your flag when storing. Don’t just stuff it in a drawer or box.
- When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.
Flag Day Resources:
www.theholidayspot.com/flagday/
http://www.usflag.org/history.html
