Flag Day is a celebration of the American flag that occurs each year on June 14, the anniversary of the flag’s official adoption.
What we know fondly as the “Stars and Stripes” was adopted by the Continental Congress as the official American flag on June 14, 1777, during the Revolutionary War. Colonial troops fought under many different flags with various symbols—rattlesnakes, pine trees, and eagles—and slogans—”Don’t Tread on Me,” “Liberty or Death,” and “Conquer or Die,” to name a few.
The Declaration of Independence made the adoption of an American flag necessary. Previously, each colony or special interest had its own flag.
On that 14th of June, Congress made the Flag Resolution of 1777, stating: “The flag of the United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white on a blue field …” Official announcement of the new flag was not made until Sept. 3, 1777.
”Flag Day” has been celebrated as a patriotic occasion for many decades, but President Woodrow Wilson made the observance official on May 30, 1916, by a presidential proclamation.
Who Made the First American Flag?
The origins of the Stars and Stripes have become part of American folklore. Although many people believe that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first flag, there is no true proof of this.
However, records do indicate that Betsy Ross most definitely made ensigns and pennants for the Philadelphia Navy during the war, and she certainly inspired the design of the current flag.
Based on colonial folklore, it has also been stated that the American flag was first flown in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge in 1777. This may also be the stuff of legend.
However, what we do know is this: The original 1777 flag was designed to represent the 13 original colonies. It had 13 white stars on a blue field and 13 alternating red and white stripes.
One of the first flag designs had the stars arranged in a circle, based on the idea that all colonies were equal.
In 1818, after a few design changes, the United States Congress decided to retain the flag’s original 13 stripes and add new stars to reflect each new state that entered the union.
Each time a state was added to the union, a star was added. Today, there are 50 stars, one for each state in the union, but the 13 stripes remain.
Interestingly, the current American flag was designed by a high school student from Lancaster, Ohio, named Bob G. Heft! Even though Bob’s history teacher gave him a “B-” for not knowing how many states the Union had, Bob submitted his design to the White House (unprompted) in anticipation of Hawaii and Alaska joining the Union. To his surprise, President Eisenhower called him! Today, it’s Bob Heft’s 1958 design—showing 50 stars in a field that included five rows of six stars and four rows of five stars—which is now our 50-star American flag (and history teacher changed his grade to an “A”!).
Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14, is not an official federal holiday, but the president of the United States traditionally proclaims its observance each year. On Flag Day, many towns and cities hold parades and events to celebrate the flag, and the colors are to be flown at all government buildings. Historical Facts About the U.S. Flag January 1, 1776: The first United States flag, the “Grand Union,” was displayed by George Washington. It became the unofficial national flag, preceding the 13-star, 13-stripe version.
June 14, 1777: The Stars and Stripes were adopted by the Continental Congress as the Flag of the United States.
June 14, 1877: Flag Day was observed nationally for the first time on the 100th anniversary of the Stars and Stripes—and continues today.
June 14, 1937: Pennsylvania became the first state in the United States to celebrate Flag Day officially as a state holiday.
July 4, 1960: The new 50 star flag was flown for the first time—the flag that still flies today.
The Grand Union Flag, the original flag of the United States, represented here on a 1968 postal stamp.
The Grand Union Flag, the first unofficial national flag, represented on a 1968 postage stamp.
Where May the American Flag Be Flown 24 Hours a Day?
The flag is usually taken indoors at night out of respect, but there are some places where flying the flag around the clock is permissible. Do you think you can guess them?
•The Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia •The White House
•The U.S. Capitol
•The Iwo Jima Memorial to U.S. Marines in Arlington, Virginia
•The Revolutionary War battleground in Lexington, Massa-chusetts •The site of George Washington’s winter encampment at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
•Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland
•The Jenny Wade House in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (Jenny Wade was the only civilian killed in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War)
•The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
•All customs points of entry into the United States
•Any US Navy ship that is underway In truth, the flag may be flown at night anywhere that it may be flown during the day, provided that it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.