The United States observes several patriotic holidays. Independence Day commemorates the nation’s birth. Veterans’ Day honors those who have served the country in the armed forces. Memorial Day is a solemn remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy, and Flag Day honors the national flag, what it signifies, and celebrates American unity.
Flag Day is observed nationwide, though it’s an afterthought to many since it’s not a federal holiday. That’s a shame, because the Stars and Stripes has a rich history all its own, replete with traditions deserving of recognition and preservation.
Old Glory is perhaps the most universally recognized flag on Earth. It represents the good this nation has done and continues to do. It has been a beacon of liberty for over two centuries.
The American Flag
Flag Day marks the national flag’s adoption by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Revolutionary forces carried a variety of banners, but a new national flag was required after the previous year’s Declaration of Independence. The design is popularly credited to Philadelphia banner and pennant maker Betsy Ross, though the historical evidence is scarce.
Either way, Congress decreed “That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” The term “new constellation” is especially apt, considering the nation’s newborn status and the stellar historical arc before it. The stars were arranged in a circle, signifying each state’s equality with the others.
The flag has remained essentially the same ever since. The only real changes have been the field of stars, which added to their number whenever new states entered the Union. The current version, with 50 stars, was designed in 1958 by a 17-year-old high school student named Bob G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio, in anticipation of Alaska and Hawaii becoming the 49th and 50th states. Heft’s simple star arrangement was chosen by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from over 1,500 submissions. The thirteen stripes have remained to signify the original founding states.
The Second Continental Congress also explained their color choices. Red signifies “valor and bravery;” white stands for “purity and innocence,” while blue represents “vigilance, perseverance, and justice.” Those values were prominent throughout the American Revolution, so their representation on the flag is natural.
Flag Day Origins
The observance of Flag Day dates back to 1885. Waubeka, Wisconsin school teacher Bernard J. Cigrand organized a celebration of the flag’s meaning. It began with his students, but Cigrand soon advocated for a national observance. He wrote articles and made speeches promoting his efforts. Others picked up the idea, leading to a grassroots movement for a national Flag Day.
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916 as the first Flag Day. Wilson and his successors continued the tradition until President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day. Presidents still traditionally proclaim National Flag Week centered on June 14.
Flag Day Observances
Flag Day is celebrated across the nation, despite not being a federal holiday. Communities, organizations, and individuals celebrate through ceremonies, parades, and educational events that emphasize the flag’s importance. Common traditions include:
- Flag-Raising Ceremonies: Many towns and cities hold flag-raising events at public buildings, parks, or veterans’ memorials. These ceremonies often involve local officials, veterans’ groups, and community members who gather to honor the flag and reflect on its meaning.
- Educational Programs: Schools, libraries, and civic organizations use Flag Day as an opportunity to teach about the flag’s history and proper etiquette. For example, the U.S. Flag Code, established in 1923, outlines guidelines for displaying and handling the flag, such as never letting it touch the ground and folding it in a specific triangular shape when not in use.
- Parades and Festivals: Some communities, particularly smaller towns, host Flag Day parades featuring marching bands, veterans, and displays of the flag. Waubeka, Wisconsin, the birthplace of Flag Day, holds an annual celebration with a parade, reenactments, and patriotic performances.
- Veterans’ and Patriotic Events: Organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) often lead Flag Day activities, emphasizing the sacrifices of those who have served under the flag. These events may include moments of silence, wreath-laying ceremonies, or recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance.
One notable tradition associated with Flag Day is the proper retirement of worn or tattered flags. According to the U.S. Flag Code, flags that are no longer fit for display should be destroyed in a dignified manner, typically by burning. Many communities hold flag retirement ceremonies on or around June 14, often led by Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or veterans’ groups, to respectfully dispose of old flags while honoring their significance.
Flag Day 2025
Bernard Cigrand and others saw Flag Day as a celebration of American unity behind our national symbol, itself full of deeper meanings. But it seems that, in many ways, we are less unified than at any time since the Civil War. That apparent disunity has many catalysts, and though the flag isn’t one of them, it has often become a casualty of it.
American liberty is many things to many people. Ironically, the ability to desecrate that liberty’s symbol is perhaps its greatest expression, though many of us believe it to be misguided. The flag should not be a tool of partisan politics. It should be, and is meant to be, a unifying symbol for us all, despite our internal differences. It represents our ability to disagree civilly, which is rare enough to deserve celebration.
Fly the flag proudly, if you’re so inclined. The beauty of what the flag represents is that we all get to choose without worrying about a knock on the door questioning that choice.
Symbols are important. They remind us of good things, important things, and even things that weren’t so good. Flag Day reminds us that what we have in America is so rare in history as to be almost non-existent. It seems we need that reminder more than ever.
