Flag Day

The Flag Day that we celebrate today originated in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson designated Flag Day as an official holiday. Early known celebrations of Flag Day date back to 1885 when Bernard J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher, held the first known Flag Day. This holiday commemorates the resolution of the Second Continental Congress which allowed the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777. Betsey Ross created the first American flag, and it contained thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. Today, our flag has fifty stars.

Celebrate this weird holiday by purchasing an American flag for your front yard! Wear clothes with a flag design, or wear a flag pin on your shirt! Begin planning a party for Independence Day on the 4th of July!

Flag Day Fun Facts

• There has been twenty-seven different American flags.
• The current United States flag became the national emblem in 1960.
• In America, only the President and Governors of the State can order flags on government buildings to be flown at half-staff.
• When a United States flag is beyond the point of repair and no longer serviceable, it should be destroyed in a respectful manner, such as burning.
• The United States flag is symbolic. The 13 stripes (seven red and six white) are for the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars represent all the states in the United States. The colors in the flag are also meaningful. Red is for Valor and Hardiness; white is for Innocence and Purity; and blue is for Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.

Flag Day Jokes

• A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag. «Our flag symbolizes our taxes», the man said. «We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them». «That’s the same with us», the American said, «only we see stars, too».

• An American soldier who was dying in a battlefield hospital in Afghanistan says, «How I wish I could kiss the American flag before I die». The nurse, who was extremely touched by the soldier’s patriotism, said, «I have a tattoo of the American flag on my bottom. You may kiss it if you don’t mind». The soldier replied, «Of course I wouldn’t mind. Thank you for fulfilling my last wish». The nurse took of her panties, and the dying soldier kissed the flag. Then the soldier said, «Thank you, Nurse. Would you be so kind as to turn around so that I could kiss Bush too?».

• What would you get if you crossed the Stars and Stripes with a cookie?
• A Flag Newton!

• Teacher: «How did the Founding Fathers decide on our country’s flag?».
• Student: «I guess they took a flag poll!».

• What did one flag say to the other flag?
• Nothing. It just waved!

Flag Day Quotes

• «Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong». James Bryce
• «I stand fearlessly for small dogs, the American Flag, motherhood and the Bible. That’s why people love me». Art Linkletter
• «I’m proud of the U.S.A. We’ve done some amazing things. To wear our flag in the Olympics is an honor». Shaun White
• «The American flag represents all of us and all the values we hold sacred». Adrian Cronauer
• «Yes, I’m a patriotic person. For these people who disgrace the American way and burn our flag and do all of these things… I say, don’t live here and disgrace my country. Go live in the Middle East and see how you like it». Payne Stewart

Flag Day Destinations

• Attend a Flag Day ceremony somewhere in your area.
• Visit the Betsy Ross House, and learn about the first flag of the United States.
• Drive to the National Museum of American History, and view the original Star Spangled Banner.
• Take a vacation to Six Flags in honor of Flag Day!
• Go to a flag burning ceremony to respectfully end the life of an American flag.

The Pledge of Allegiance

• I pledge Allegiance to the flag
• of the United States of America
• and to the Republic for which it stands,
• one nation under God, indivisible,
• with Liberty and Justice for all.

Alternative titles for this holiday include: National Flag Day, International Flag Day, Flags Day, National Flags Day, and International Flags Day.

When is Flag Day celebrated in 2024?

Flag Day is observed on June 14 each year.

Observations