Old Glory
Long May She Wave

By Joan Herrmann

Every June 14 Americans honor the flag. The idea of an annual day celebrating the Flag is believed to have originated in 1885 when BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for students to observe the day as the Flag’s birthday. Over the course of the following years, various people and organizations continued the tradition of observing June 14 as “Flag Birthday,” or “Flag Day.”

Inspired by decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day was officially established by President Woodrow Wilson with a Proclamation on May 30, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated for years after the Proclamation, it was not until August 3, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

History of the Flag

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the United States. The resolution stated that "the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."

While no one knows the exact origin of the first American flag, some historians believe it was designed by Congressman Francis Hopkinson, and was sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross.

Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.

Today the flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well. Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

How to Display the Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest regard as it represents the nation and the many people who gave their lives for freedom.

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field (union) are at the top and at the end of the pole (away from the house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. A state flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let the flag touch the ground.
• Fold the flag when storing.
• Old flags should be burned or buried. Do not throw it in the trash.

Published: June 12, 2009