Understanding Why We Celebrate Flag Day

What is Flag Day?

Flag Day is celebrated on June 14, marking the adoption of the American flag by the Continental Congress in the First Flag Act on June 14, 1777. The Act declared that the new flag would have "13 stripes alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

The next federal holiday is Independence Day on July 4.

Is Flag Day a federal holiday?

No. Though Flag Day is observed nationwide, it is not a federal holiday. Pennsylvania is the only state to establish June 14 as a state holiday for Flag Day. New York also designates the second Sunday in June every year as a state holiday for Flag Day.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day with actual legislation signed by President Harry Truman in 1949 proclaiming June 14 as Flag Day. Nonetheless, despite repeated attempts by advocates, Flag Day was never officially established as a federal holiday.

Why didn't Flag Day ever become a federal holiday?

Flag Day was left out of the 1968 Uniform Holiday Act, which established the 11 official federal holidays and three-day weekend holidays that we celebrate today (Inauguration Day is included under the Act, which is applicable in Washington D.C. and metropolitan areas after a presidential inauguration).

When did the U.S. actually start celebrating Flag Day?

Despite the passage of the First Flag Act in 1777, Flag Day wasn't actually celebrated until nearly 100 years later.

On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday.

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Who came up with the idea to make Flag Day a holiday?

The idea to establish a holiday to commemorate the nation’s flag dates back to June 1886 when Bernard Cigrand proposed that it be observed each year. He wrote an article titled “The Fourteenth of June” in the old Chicago Argus newspaper.

Today, Cigrand is generally regarded as the “Father of Flag Day” due to his tireless advocation to establish an annual observance for the nation’s flag.

Are businesses closed for Flag Day?

No. Because Flag Day is not a federal holiday, most businesses in New Jersey and across the country will be open.

Will government offices and schools be open? Will mail be delivered?

Yes. Government offices, schools and the U.S. Postal Service are only closed on federal holidays. Mail will also be delivered on Flag Day.

What does the American flag symbolize, and what do the colors mean?

The American flag has 13 stripes, representing the original 13 Colonies, and 50 stars, representing all of the states in the Union.

However, when the official flag was adopted in 1777, the colors red, white and blue did not have any specific meaning. However, the colors of the country’s Great Seal created a year earlier did. Red represented hardiness and valor; white represented purity; and blue represented vigilance and justice.

What are other names for the American flag?

The American flag has many nicknames, including “old glory,” “star-spangled banner,” “red, white and blue,” and “stars and stripes.”

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Who designed the first American flag?

Glad you asked. It is believed that New Jersey Rep. Francis Hopkinson, signer of the Declaration of Independence, designed the first American flag. However, because there is no sketch of a flag designed by Hopkinson in existence today, controversy continues to surround the exact origins of the flag's design. Though many still think Betsy Ross designed the flag, historians today have mostly discredited that belief.

Are there events and parades planned for Flag Day in New Jersey?

There will be some events going on around the state to celebrate the nation's flag. Among them include Fort Monmouth, which, on June 14, will host its 100th anniversary Flag Day event while celebrating the 242nd birthday of the U.S. Army. Also on June 14, Montclair will host its National Flag Day celebration, featuring tours of real flags from various periods of American history.

On Saturday, the Somerville Elks Lodge #1068 and borough hosted its fourth annual Flag Day Festival in front of the Somerset County Courthouse.

Is anything else celebrated on June 14?

Yes. The U.S. military also celebrates its birthday on June 14. Flag Day also falls on National Flag Week — a time when Americans reflect on the nation’s principles of being a free country.

Some interesting facts about the American flag

• Lawmakers in the 19th century tried to pass restrictions on the use of the flag because of its use in advertising for products, which officials at the time felt was disrespectful.
• The flag didn’t always have 13 stripes. In 1794, two extra stars and stripes were added to honor Kentucky and Vermont joining the Union. More than 20 years later — after concerns about having to keep adding stars and stripes — it was officially decided to just have 13 stripes (but to keep adding stars whenever another state joined).
• The current star pattern on the flag was designed in 1958 by then 17-year-old student Robert G. Heft for a history project. The design was ultimately submitted to Congress and accepted by President Eisenhower.

Flag etiquette: Do's

• According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the flag can be displayed at all times so long as it’s illuminated when it’s dark outside.
• It can be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and during special occasions.
• It should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and polling places on election days.
• The flag should be “hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.”
• The flag should be carried either on the marching right (the flag’s right) or to the front and center of the flag line.
• When the flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be “flat or suspended so that its folds fall free.”
• When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top.

Flag etiquette: Don'ts:

• The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says that people should not use the flag as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• Don’t affix anything to the flag or mark it with any type of insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing.
• Don’t use it as part of a costume or athletic uniform. A flag patch is OK to use on the uniforms for military personnel, firemen and policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
• Don’t use it for any type of advertising — including printing on anything intended to be discarded like handkerchiefs, napkins or boxes.
• Don’t turn the flag upside down — the flag is only turned upside down as a distress signal.
• Don’t use it to drape or cover anything.
• Don't display the flag during rain, snow and wind storms.