"Old Glory" & Flag Day

Perhaps the most emotional symbol of a country is it's flag. Each color and design element represents an important historical event or a ideology, goal or vision. They invoke responses from peoples of all countries. Pledges of allegiance, standing at attention, burning or ripping down a flag in contempt of a political idea or an opposing government are all parts of the history of flags.

Most countries take the treatment of their flags extremely seriously and have laws to protect the flag. In the States our code of ethics concerning the flag are rules like the national flag cannot be used for advertising, it cannot cover a monument or any ceilings, it must not be folded while being displayed, no one should write on an American flag and ships can slightly lower their flags  in greeting each other, but otherwise should not be dipped for any other object or person.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress proposed that the United States have a national flag instead of the British Union Jack. There were only a few public ceremonies honoring the "Stars and Stripes" until 1877, when on, June 14, it was flown from every government building in honor of the centennial of the adoption of a national flag.

In 1890, North Dakota and New Jersey passed laws that required their schools to fly the flag daily. The first official Flag Day was observed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1893. New York also proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day 1897. Other states were slow to follow. Some people thought that the day was too close to Memorial Day and Independence Day.

The "Stars and Stripes," or "Old Glory," was standardized in 1912. It takes 64 pieces to make the American flag. Thirteen white stripes representing the original 13 states, alternated between red stripes representing courage. Each current has a star (50 stars) on a blue background. It has changed designs over the year, more than any other flag in the world.

Inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.