Celebrating Flag Day
Happy Flag Day!
Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The flag, with its thirteen stripes alternating between red and white and a blue field with fifty white stars representing the current number of states, is a symbol of the nation's unity, strength, and enduring commitment to freedom.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14th as Flag Day. However, it wasn't until August 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Flag Day is celebrated across the country and serves as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on the flag's symbolism and the values it represents, including liberty, justice, and unity.
The 50-star US Flag has flown atop government buildings, schools, banks, homes, and other establishments since July 4, 1960. She stands for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. While she has changed her look 27 times in her storied 247-year history, each variant of the US Flag over the years can be flown proudly as a legal interpretation of Old Glory.
We think these are five of the most important US-flags as we kick off another All-American Summer.
The 13-Star "Betsy Ross" US Flag, depicted in Washington Crossing the Delaware, an 1851 portrait by Emanuel Leutze. Here General George Washington and his Continental Army troops cross the Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton on the morning of December 26, 1776. The outcome of the battle was critical for boosting morale of American troops.
The Star Spangled Banner, the 15-Star US Flag that inspired the National Anthem or Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key. The original 15 Star flag is located at the National Museum of American History Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Photo by Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv
The 48-Star US Flag raised atop Mount Suribachi, originally photographed by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945, quickly became an image of American resolve. The "Iwo Jima Flag" is now on permanent display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. Display photo courtesy of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Read more about the flag raising here
The 50-Star US Flags placed at each grave at Arlington National Cemetery, reminding us of the true cost of freedom. Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") honors America's fallen heroes by placing US Flags at each grave at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 400,000 US Veterans from the Revolutionary War through the present day are buried at Arlington, along with three unidentified US Soldiers in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. President William Howard Taft and President John F. Kennedy are also buried at Arlington.
The 50-Star US Flag raised at Ground Zero, depicted in Firemen Raising the Flag at Ground Zero, photographed by Thomas E. Franklin on September 11, 2001. The flag is now featured in a prominent display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City.
Read the full story of the Ground Zero Flag here
Read more about other US Flags found at Ground Zero during the cleanup efforts
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Here are some best practices when flying the US Flag on Flag Day or any other day:
Display the flag from sunrise to sunset on your home or business from a pole, and lowered at night unless properly illuminated. Always hoist the flag quickly, and lower it ceremoniously
On Memorial Day, display the flag at half-mast until noon only; then hoist it to the top of the staff. On Patriot's Day (September 11) and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7) fly the flag half-mast from sun up to sun down
Salute a flag when it passes by in a parade, during the Pledge of Allegiance or National Anthem and in a ceremony raising or lowering it. Never let a flag touch the ground or be used as a garment of any sort
The flag should never be flown "upside-down" (with the blue field of stars down) except as a signal extreme danger and distress
When a flag is no longer in a condition to be displayed, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning
The flag may be displayed on any day--remember to display on all national holidays
Revive your patriotic pride today with a beautiful embroidered and stitched Signature Series US Flag from Grand Flag Co.