It's time to break out your American flag and fly it high because June 14th marks Flag Day in the United States. President Harry Truman officially declared Flag Day a holiday on August 3rd, 1949. Flag Day is said to have first been celebrated way back on June 14th, 1885, when schoolteacher BJ Cigrand had his class celebrate the flag's birthday. Read on for some fun Flag Day facts.
Flag Day Fun Facts
- The first American flag was made in 1776 by a woman named Betsy Ross. At that time there were only 13 stars on the flag for the 13 states. The stars were meant to stand for, "13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."
- The American flag today has 13 alternate red and white horizontal stripes which signify the first 13 confederate states of the country. There is also a blue square in the top left-hand corner with 50 stars. These signify the current 50 states.
- The American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "The Star Spangled Banner" on September 14, 1814. It later became the national anthem of the United States.
- The white on the American flag stands for purity and innocence, the red for hardiness and valor and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
- Astronaut Neil Armstrong placed the flag on the moon on July 20, 1969. The Moon is the most remote place in which the American flag is displayed, although it can also be found at the North Pole and on top of Mount Everest.
Flag Day is always on June 14th
Laws of the Flag
- No part of the flag is supposed to be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag is not supposed to be used as a covering for a ceiling.
- The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is bad, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
Have Your Say
Will you be celebrating Flag Day? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
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