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All About Flag Day June 14, 2022
Do you celebrate Flag Day?
Do you acknowledge Flag Day?
Did you even know there was such a thing as Flag Day?
What is Flag Day?
Are you wondering what Flag Day is all about?
The first American flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress. This was while the Revolutionary War was still raging.
We celebrate Flag Day every June 14th in the United States to honor our flag and all it stands for in this county.
A Little American Flag History
- Betsy Ross has been the woman widely given credit for designing and sewing the first American flag since 1870. This fact seems to be controversial today. Some say it is more likely that Francis Hopkinson was the designer. What do you say?
- Robert G. Heft, a 17-year-old boy, designed the flag as we know it today. He created it as a school project at the time Alaska and Hawaii were about to join the Union.
- The American flag’s nickname is Old Glory.
- There are actual federal regulations governing the handling and displaying of the Amerian flag.
The Flag's Colors and Design
The United States flag has thirteen stripes to represent the original first thirteen colonies.
Today, there are 50 stars, which stand for the 50 states in the Union.
Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, once said when speaking about the symbolism of the colors of the flag, “White signifies purity and innocence; Red, hardiness & valor; and Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.”
Some Proper Flag Etiquette
- Only fly the flag upside down when in distress.
- Don’t allow the flag to touch the ground.
- The flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly.
- The flag should be lowered to half-mast when the country is in mourning or distress.
- The flag should be properly disposed of through burning when needed.
- Do not fly a tattered flag.
- Stand up, remove your hat and either salute or place your hand or your heart whenever the flag is passing by. (We do the same thing when singing the National Anthem.)
A Few Ways to Celebrate Flag Day
- Talk about the flag and its meaning with your family.
- Discuss the flag’s history.
- Sing some songs about the flag.
- Have a little flag parade with your children.
- Attend a Flag Day ceremony
- Color some flag coloring sheets.
- Make your own flag.
- Watch a YouTube video about the flag.
- Make a flag cake for dessert.
- Teach your children how to show respect to the flag.
A Couple Famous American Flag Songs
The Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One nation, under God
Indivisible with liberty and justice for all
The Proper Way to Fold the Flag
Here is a YouTube video of Marines properly folding the American flag.
You can also print out this pdf which shows the exact steps to properly folding the American flag.
America's Flag Day 2022
Will you and your family be celebrating Flag Day this year?
Are you planning on flying the colors of the United States of America this Flag Day?
Leave a comment and let me know how you will celebrate this year.
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1. According to the U.S. government, there is no proof that Betsy Ross made the first American flag, although she made flags for Pennsylvania’s navy during the Revolutionary War and made flags for 50 years. (Source: “Our Flag.” Joint Committee on Printing. United States Congress. H. Doc. 100-247. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1989. p. 2.)
2. According to the U.S. government, the so-called “Betsy Ross Flag” dates from the early 1790s — not from the Revolutionary War. (Source: “Our Flag.” p. 2.)
3. Current information clarifying Mrs. Ross’ flag-making role has been uploaded to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy_Ross
4. Scholars now credit Francis Hopkinson as the American flag’s designer. (Source: Leepson, Marc. “Flag: An American Biography.” St. Martin’s Griffin. 2005. p. 33.)
5. The Flag Manufacturers Association of America (FMAA) issued the following Tweet on February 4, 2021:
FMAA@FMAA_USA – Feb 4
#FlagFact: The designer of the American flag was Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence as a delegate from New Jersey.
FMAA_USA.COM
6. Recent research on Francis Hopkinson’s designs for the nascent U.S. government, including flags and seals, has been uploaded to https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Hopkinson
Submitted by Earl P. Williams, Jr., U.S. flag historian (paleovexillologist)
Thank you so much for your comment and this information, Mr. Williams.